Barre Chords — Use or Not?
From my experience of playing professionally for over 50 years, I would strongly advise musicians not to waste their time, energy, or money.
Back in the 1950s, some people believed that using a guitar capo was cheating. This misinformation (which led many guitar players to recommend Barre chords) is based on the belief that Barre chords are more professional.
While learning guitar, I explored this issue and discovered that the only reason professional studio musicians use a capo, is to easily provide music for vocalists with different vocal ranges.
That makes perfect sense. If a song is played in C, F, and G, and a singer struggles to reach the bass notes. Simply move a capo up a few frets. Then, still playing in C, F, and G, the vocalist can easily sing the song.
Therefore, the use of a capo is not to help the guitarist; its real purpose is to help a vocalist sing within a comfortable vocal range.
Knowing the history and purpose of a capo, I use one for most of my songs. Every song is different, and I constantly change vocal ranges depending on how I sing it.
Slow country songs I sing at a lower pitch and fast Rock ‘n’ Roll songs at a higher pitch.
Playing a guitar automatically implies playing a song and making music. To do so properly, you must train your brain, mind, and muscles to master a song’s tempo, rhythm, melody, and, usually, the words.