Guitar Simplified - Guitar Barre®

Thank you for visiting our site.
There are lots of internet site claims about GUITAR MADE EASY.
Only the GUITAR BARRE METHOD makes chording the guitar really EASY.
Nothing else can guarantee you'll be playing ALL CHORDS within 15 minutes.
You will absolutely love this EASY GUITAR METHOD.

A revolutionary, totally new, no fingerings method guaranteeing immediate success for beginners. Using the GUITAR BARRE^®, an easy to use 'soft barre' chording device (a hybrid of the 'capo' and 'slide' used by most guitarists), along with a simple METHOD BOOK and play-along VIDEO, you will be able to play all major and minor chords after just one lesson! Perfect for anyone who wants to play most songs just for the fun of it, with little practicing. (95% of those who want to play never do with fingerings - EVERYONE SUCCEEDS with the GUITAR BARRE^® METHOD.)

Here is how one parent/kindergarten teacher described the GUITAR BARRE^® METHOD, "This is the greatest thing musically that has ever happened to me. I always wanted to play the guitar, but all those chord fingerings were just too difficult. After one lesson I was playing my daughter a bedtime lullaby. Even more astounding, I was using the guitar to play simple songs with my kindergarten students, sometimes changing the words to familiar melodies to teach a variety of subjects. I even learned a new tuning for very small guitars so the children could actually accompany any song we were singing on their small guitars in perfect harmony. I whole-heartedly recommend this method to everyone. It really works! It is even easier than tuning/playing the autoharp."

Although hard to believe, it is all true. This is totally unlike any other guitar method being used. Children (age 6/7 +), teens, early childhood and elementary school teachers, parents, seniors and many others are all chording their favorite songs after just one easy lesson. They are picking up the guitar and playing whenever they please, alone and with families and friends, in living rooms, classrooms and churches, and relishing the gift of making their own music.

In the words of one prestigious music educator from Texas who operates her own music studio and conducts music workshops all over the country, "The GUITAR BARRE^® METHOD is for everyone who ever wanted to play the guitar. It will become the beginning guitar teaching method of the future! The short and easy-to-use METHOD BOOK and play-along VIDEO really has beginners successfully playing the guitar within an hour. With this method you can play all major and minor chords, any song in any key. Unlike other shortcut guitar methods with severe limitations, this is a totally legitimate method that will have you playing for the rest of your life. And if one chooses to go on and try traditional fingering methods, starting with the GUITAR BARRE^® will help you to succeed."

This new method is extremely simple. It uses an 'open tuning' strategy like that used by many guitarists and teaches beginners how to tune their instrument electronically (tune by sight, not by ear - now really easy for everyone to tune their instrument). Labels placed along the fret board of the guitar guide beginners to the correct 'barreing' position to play any chord. The GUITAR BARRE^® is pushed down against all of the strings at the label corresponding to the chord in the music, and instantly you are playing a song.

For example, in the song AMAZING GRACE , there are three chords: C, F and G. Chords are simple to read and are on all guitar music (they're the letters above the music) . You do not have to read notes.

The beginning C chord is played 'open', simply by strumming across the strings. Your chording hand is not even touching the guitar.

The F chord is played by pushing the GUITAR BARRE^® down against all of the strings at the F labeled fret, and then strumming across the strings with your other hand.

The G chord is played by pushing the GUITAR BARRE^® down at the G labeled fret. It couldn't be much easier.

You can play most songs in a similar fashion, with little practicing. Even if a song has unusual chords like maj7ths, sus, dim, aug, and m7, the labeling system has been designed to automatically enable you to play the harmonically substitutable major or minor chord and the song will come out sounding fine.

The GUITAR BARRE ^®, along with a simply written BEGINNERS METHOD BOOK (labels included) and play-along VIDEO, will get you started playing all major chords and also covers how to tune your instrument electronically (tuning is now a snap). A new way for beginners to deal with playing minor chords is also covered. We guarantee you'll be playing your favorite songs within an hour! No music reading or playing background is necessary. This method works on all guitars (acoustic and electric) and on all banjos and ukuleles as well, and for both right and left handed players. There is even a section on a new way for children as young as 3 to play the guitar in an "open strumming" mode, where they can accompany any song without having to change chords. And the Guitar Barre is perfect for anyone with a disabling hand or finger injury.

An optional follow-up INTERMEDIATE LEVEL II METHOD BOOK and play-along LEVEL II VIDEO will teach you how to 'barre' all minor and 7th chords utilizing a revolutionary new 'modified open G tuning'. The book and video also cover how to play melodies, play 'slide style' using the interchangeable 'hard bar', transpose music (change key), and much more.

Method Book II

Video II (VHS/DVD)

NOTE: For most beginners we recommend you start out with the very easy to read/follow Level I Book and Video to help insure success, and then move on to the Level II Method if you want. However, if you already have some guitar playing experience and/or a musical background, and know you want to play ALL major, minor and 7th chords, you can start immediately with the slightly more complicated Level II Book and Video. It covers everything in detail.

TO ORDER YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS:

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WEST MUSIC, www.westmusic.com, the largest distributor of musical instruments and accessories to music educators and music therapists in the US, has offered the GUITAR BARRE^® for sale for years and continues to distribute our products worldwide. You may purchase the GUITAR BARRE^®, Method Books and Videos through them if you prefer, although our prices are slightly less.

The following are examples of some of the letters and e-mails we have received regarding our products and/or music philosophy. Thank you for your support. Please write us if you've a hankering to.

"Mr. Bozung, I am a K-8 General Music teacher in Minnesota who purchased one of your Guitar Barres this previous spring. I am thrilled with, and believe in your product, and am now in the process of pricing guitars to add to my classroom setting."

"Wow, what a method. I can't believe I've never heard of it! Every thing in your web site is right on the mark. Kudos for a great package. I'll bet the only people this method isn't popular with are 'guitar instructors'. Also really liked the Video aide."

"I just wanted to thank you again for your intriguing session on your new simplified means of playing the guitar. I've been reading my instruction book, and just wanted to let you know that I found it very clear and informative, answering many questions that I've had for a long time! Thanks."

"Dick, I got my guitar, etc., and I LOVE it! I am so excited I can't tell you. I thought I had bought this guitar for all of us, but I'm starting to think of it as MINE ALL MINE. My 7-year-old loves it, too, but right now (after only 2 days), he's satisfied to play all the C chord songs. I, on the other hand, have entertained everyone with songs from Elvis to Johnny Cash to Jennifer Warnes!

"One of the fabulous things about this method is that people with an arm injury (or wrist injury) can still play the guitar. When I was 11 years old, I got a guitar for my birthday and some guitar lessons. I had just begun playing and enjoying it when I put my arm through a window, chasing my sister, and cut the media nerve in my wrist. For years, I didn't have any feeling in my left hand at all. Everything was numb and I couldn't possibly play the guitar. Gradually, and with some repair surgery, I've gotten some feeling back (I'm 41 now), but my fingertips are all still numb, and my thumb, index, and middle fingers have some atrophy. BUT WHO CARES NOW!?! I am strumming away like I know what I'm doing! Heck, if I DID have full feeeling in my hand, I would STILL play it this way! I know I'm using a lot of exclamation marks, but I really can't tell you how happy I am that I bought your system -- and the guitar!"

"Have just taken first lesson. For a 42 year old man who does'nt have the time to memorize 2000 chords, your method is a Godsend. So far have just completed the beginning tape, but already can improvise and experiment with songs that I know just through sound. I don't want to get sappy, but your method literally saved me a fortune in lessons. It is my belief that every school and everyone over 40 who wants to learn guitar should purchase your method. Hell, now my friends all want to learn, just from hearing me! So expect orders from Connecticut."

"I cannot say how much I appreciate your honesty and courtesy. The Guitar Barre works its that simple--- I'm still in disbelief. Just 2 days ago I could not dream of playing a guitar, but now its making music all night. The only thing that hung me up was not ordering the tuner, so I picked one up yesterday and then 10 mins later, I was playing "Knocking on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan!!! UNBELIEVABLE.

"I have to admit at first I was skeptical, so I didn't get my hopes up too much. But everything your web site says is so true. It is SO EASY!!! It just makes me laugh.

"Without a doubt I will be ordering the intermediate book and tape in the very near future.

"I just wanted to drop a line and say thank you, for getting the guitar~barre out to me so quickly and all the questions you answered."

"I want you and your associates to know how happy I am with your program and my new-found skill. I am 64 years young and have been trying to learn to play the guitar for about 40 years. This is the only method I have found that allows me to begin making music right away. It is so easy it's almost sinful. I'm moving from Level I to Level II and so far it's a piece of cake. Thank you, thank you and thank you!"

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I did try the Guitar Barre Book & Video. I find your method to be simple to follow with the video and book. I did play acoustic guitar at one time. But I didn't like the fingering methods because my hands would cramp up. So I visited the website and ordered the book and video. I labeled the frets and did the open tuning to "C". This has led me to do the songs with the chords in depth. I succeeded in playing "This is to Mother You" by Sinead O'Connor and "Redemption Song" by Bob Marley. Again, I just want to thank you for this excellent method of playing guitar that I'll definitely use for future gigs.

Thank you so much, the barre and book have been wonderful and I'm ready to take on the next challenge. You have brought back the music in my guitar.

I returned from Luxembourg with a transcripted version of the video that can be played on my equipment. Now that I've worked with you, all I can say is that it's impressive stuff! I really mean this. I guess all my life I've intuitively known that a method was out there somewhere just waiting for someone to come along to discover it and dedicate themself to making it plain to people like me - thanks. I love the chord transposer and particularly the harmony guide. Will stay in touch, and I'll be ordering a few things later.

Fair enough mate. I must admit, I forgot when I first started guitar moving my fingers to all the chord shapes seemed impossible and I quit, only to start again 4 years later. As a starting point, I can see how it would be a good system. (Note - from an experienced guitar player at first skeptical about the Guitar Barre Method.)

I just wish I had discovered your teaching methods many years ago. I'll be turning 68 next month and I surely would have liked to have been playing (and perhaps even teaching) guitar for the last 20 years or more. Wishing you the greatest possible success in all your endeavors.

You have totally changed my life and there's not many people in the world that do something positive. I mean I've been trying to play guitar for more than 20 years and had gotten nowhere. I bought your book last year and saw the light. Now I have the video I am just so confident in my playing. Your dulcimer book has helped me and the piano book is on its way to helping me and my wife play piano. I just need to let you know that you are part genius and part wonderful human being. I thank you for everything and will check your page from time to time for any new product and information.

Thanks again! Just to let you know - this product is going to give a quadriplegic great amusement! Mike has been in the wheelchair for 20 years. As a self-taught guitar player, he thought his passion for guitar playing was over the day of his car accident. While visiting with some friend from his spinal cord injury group, one of them introduced us to this guitar-playing method.

I am so glad I found your web site. I'm a 51 year old man. I played guitar some 30 yrs ago, and finally got back into it. The only problem I had was changing chords due to an accident I had some 20 yrs. ago. I am lefthanded and had 33 stiches in my right hand and my fingers don't move like they use to. I purchased your guitar barre and it's amazing how it really works, I would like to thank you very much for helping people like me play again, again. Thank you.

I am considering totally modifying and changing my entire approach to teaching. Certainly, I will have students interested in standard methods, and I'll continue to teach those... but... this is very exciting. I don't think this approach should be limited to the satisfaction of a few simple songs and then moving on to standard methods... I think this is a way to move students toward relatively advanced playing a la Richie Havens. For students particularly interested in this approach, an electric guitar with products like those from Hipshot would allow relatively quick, during the song, changes of the open chord tuning. And complex rhythms are obviously possible. This fits so well with my approach to teaching theory that I think this will really change things for me. It will be a revolution in my approach. And it is all because I no longer feel that I need to take students through a lot of standard methods before they would be ready for open tunings.

I have an instrumental music education degree and have played guitar for years. My son has wanted to learn for quite some time. However, due to Cerebal Palsy, he does not have the control or dexterity to be very successful. I was extremely happy to stumble across your site. I truly believe this will enable him to play & enjoy the guitar as much as I do. This will be a Christmas gift that will change a life and last a lifetime.

Got the Beginner’s Kit and love your teachings. As I told you, I have a severed flexor tendon that cripples my left index finger, so can’t make the difficult chords in standard tuning. Your Guitar Barre allows me to play the guitar again. Am trying to gain strength in my injured left hand by practicing every day. You have devised a neat system and I’m very pleased with all that I’ve learned so far. Your lessons are very valuable and enable me to play once again.

Since Christmas I have been trying to get my fingers to make the chords and finding it very difficult, making more of a niose than music. I received it (the Guitar Barre Beginners Package) yesterday, Friday 01 Feb. I am just starting to use it - already it feels great - I sound better - thanks for the quick delivery.

Guitar players have used various tools in helping them to play the guitar for a long time, including various kinds of 'slides' and 'capos'. The GUITAR BARRE ^® is simply just another 'tool', and is in fact really a cross between a 'slide' and a 'capo'. The GUITAR BARRE ^® METHOD is very similar to methods used by 'barre', 'slide', 'dobro', 'Hawaiian slack' and 'pedal steel guitar' players. The GUITAR BARRE ^®, when fitted with the interchangeable 'hard bar', is similar to the various 'slides' used in most of these methods.

What sets the GUITAR BARRE ^® apart from these other 'tools' is its 'soft bar', which produces a clean, mellow, finger type 'barre chord' sound, unlike the somewhat abrasive sound associated with most 'slides'. And the finger rest on the GUITAR BARRE ^® enables one to use the full energy of one's hand to push the strings down against the fret, instead of just one finger, which is difficult, as in the other methods. Also, the 'gripper' part of the GUITAR BARRE ^® makes it much easier to control movement and to interact with the fretboard - this is not the case with traditional 'slides'.

Beginning with the GUITAR BARRE ^® insures success for all, and enables one to play forever without lots of practicing, maintaining callused fingers and memorizing lots of complicated chord fingering positions. And for those who want to go on and learn traditional fingering methods (optional), they are much more likely to succeed having started with the GUITAR BARRE ^® METHOD, because they have already gotten down the basics of rhythm strumming, reading music and making chord changes. And using the GUITAR BARRE ^® builds hand strength and dexterity as well, which are so important in traditional fingering methods.

"Open tunings" are used extensively by almost all guitar players, and in fact were embraced enthusiastically by Carl Orff, a leader and innovator in music education for children. Our LEVEL II Modified Open Tuning, which enables one to BARRE ALL major, minor and dominant 7th chords, is a totally new tuning, was created by us after years of experimentation, and is revolutionary in its simplicity and diversity. (If you have some musical background, and are interested in "Open tuning" your instrument to something other than a C chord, because you find yourself playing mostly in one or two Keys other than C, refer to our Level II Method Book.)

Unlike methods using a clamp-on chording device, which limits the player to playing only 3 or 4 chords at a time in one Key, with the GUITAR BARRE ^® METHOD you can play all the common chords in any Key. And unlike short cut finger chording methods where you are limited to playing only 4 strings, with the GUITAR BARRE ^® METHOD you are using all 6 strings for a full chord sound. And, of course, you don't need a special instrument or special music when using the GUITAR BARRE ^® METHOD. The GUITAR BARRE ^® works on all guitars, banjos and ukulelels (right or left handed) and with all sheet music. In summary, nothing compares to the ease and versatility of learning and continuing to play using the GUITAR BARRE ^® METHOD.

The GUITAR BARRE ^® METHOD has been developed and taught to thousands of children and adults, primarily through Artist-in-Education grants funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. It is being used extensively in homes, schools, churches and other settings, by children and adults of all ages, early childhood teachers, music teachers, and music, recreation and occupational therapists.

PS - The GUITAR BARRE ^® METHOD is successfully being used to play the guitar by those with only one hand. For more information on how this is being done, please email or call us.

If you are an early childhood teacher, an elementary music teacher, a music therapist, a college-level teacher teaching music methods to any of the previous groups, or anyone else with an interest in helping others to play the guitar, please read over, at you leisure, the following two ARTICLES - you will find them most interesting.

The Beginner's Guitar Basics
(Understanding rhythm guitar principles, Basic music theory, Fundamentals of song structure, Learning to play by ear, Traditional chord fingering method, etc.....)

- FREENOTES -
Beautiful portable resonated metalaphone instruments for everyone and for Orff ensembles
www.freenotes.net

- NON-COMPETITIVE SPORTS -
New, "truly playful" alternatives to traditional ball games
www.cooperativesports.org