How to play an F chord?

[Snoopy31]

I can't seem to get this chord down at all. If I hold down the 2 high strings on the first fret properly, then my 2 and 3 finger can't curl enough to touch their respective strings and only their strings. If I get my 2 and 3 finger in place then I can't hold down the strings on the first fret.

Even using both hands to help position the fingers I can't get it to work. Unless, I use 1 and 2 on the first fret then fingers 3 and 4 on the 2 and 3 fret, but that isn't comfortable and doesn't seem practical. Ive been playing a couple months and feel this shouldn't be that hard. I've tried angling my fingers every which way to no avail. My thumb is towards the bottom of guitar neck. I am decent and can get barre chords at the first and 2 fret. I could just play an F barre chord I guess, but to play a regular F chord would be a lot easier I think. I like to play a lot of oldies so I play a lot of Cs Am's G7's which is right around the F chord. I am average height and certainly don't have short or fat fingers. Any help is appreciated. I am self taught at this point so asking a teacher is not an option. Every video I've seen shows where to put the fingers....I know where to put them I just can't lol.

Any help is appreciated.

[taylorcc]

Try it with a capo on the 2nd fret. If you can make the chord there, your string height at the nut needs adjusting.

[mud4feet]

Yeah, I remember way, way back when, when I first started playing, that chord gave me fits. But, like all the chords (barre's especially), just takes practice, practice, practice to build up the finger strength. After a while, you'll wonder why it was such a big deal. I usually barre the F (E fingering) 'cause I like to hear that F in the bass. Keep pluggin' and force those dang fingers to do what you want!!!

BTW - in my mind there are no "regular" chords. Fingerings change as the music demands. There are chords all over that neck!!

[TaylorGA8]

It really is about strength in the hands. I start every practice session with hand strengthening exercises. I find the stronger my hands get the easier everything else seems to be. Don't let it get you down. I remember B major drove me up the wall. Over time it just comes you'll look back and won't believe the ease you can play it.

[Snoopy31]

Yeah, I remember way, way back when, when I first started playing, that chord gave me fits. But, like all the chords (barre's especially), just takes practice, practice, practice to build up the finger strength. After a while, you'll wonder why it was such a big deal. I usually barre the F (E fingering) 'cause I like to hear that F in the bass. Keep pluggin' and force those dang fingers to do what you want!!!

BTW - in my mind there are no "regular" chords. Fingerings change as the music demands. There are chords all over that neck!!

I guess my vocabulary is off lol but that is the first way I heard to play an F....so in my mind forever now that is a regular F chord.

[mud4feet]

I guess my vocabulary is off lol but that is the first way I heard to play an F....so in my mind forever now that is a regular F chord.

I understand. That is the way I learned it (from books), so I guess you could say it was "regular". But I've barre'd it so much, I guess I consider that my "regular" F chord!! Semantics!!!

Anyway, either way, both fingerings will test your finger strength. Just keep pluggin'!!!!!

[piper_guitarist]

In all honesty, it's easier for me to bar in an "A" shape than an "E" shape, so I'll play an "F" as an "A" shape up at the 8th and 10th frets, or I'll play a top-4 "F". I can't play a full "F" at the 1st fret to save my life.

[sthompson]

Agree completely...."Want a buzz? Strum an F"
st

[Malcolm]

If you don't fret the 1st string and just let it ring open you get a Fmaj7. Couple of years from now when you start doing jazz chords you will be using the Fmaj7 all the time.

Up to you, do what ever you thing best.

[sthompson]

How deep behind the Pine Curtain, are you, Malcolm?
st

[Sordello]

Every chord will take time. Not to worry.

Some of the difficulty may be the thumb: where is the thumb as you try to do the F ? Experiment by shifting your hand (by the wrist) so it sneaks back behind the neck a little more. That will rotate your fingers a little and you may find they drop on the strings more easily where they should.

[jonlee]

i play it where it's shaped kinda like a C chord... but with the middle finger shifted down to the 3rd string, pinkie finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th string, and with the thumb hitting the 1st fret.

a lot of people i know play this chord barred though. either way it's a pretty complicated chord for new players. =/ hope this helps some.

[Billy Memphis]

I think you really should have your action checked. This chord should not be difficult. The barred F can be for a new player, but this one should not be a challenge if your guitar is set up correctly. You might consider getting a nylon string guitar while you are learning or even stringing yours with nylons for a while. It will not sound the same and it is not a long term solution as they are the wrong strings for your guitar, but it might help for one string cycle or so.

Certainly you should also look at the string gauge you are using and the conditions of the strings themselves. Are they old strings? Old strings can be like bailing wire to play.

[ljguitar]

I think you really should have your action checked.
Hi Snoopy...
Billy may have this right...I teach guitar, and many instruments do not have the nut cut properly and it will inhibit your ability to play the F either as a barre chord or in the ''regular'' form you describe.

If you have a capo, put it on the 2nd or 3rd fret, and then if you can play the ''F'' chord, your action needs adjusting. If not, then time and diligence can build up the technique till you can easily accomplish it.

[rick-slo]

As already mentioned string height at the nut is critical. If you can barre that shape at the second fret when the first fret is capoed then have the string height adjusted.

Once that is checked out try to barre the first fret with the index finger only on the frets. Get a clean sound on the high 1st, 2nd and low 6th strings. Don't worry if the 3rd and 4th strings buzz a little. Getting that correct is the major part of it. Then just apply the other fingers to complete the F chord.

[Snoopy31]

Hi Snoopy...
Billy may have this right...I teach guitar, and many instruments do not have the nut cut properly and it will inhibit your ability to play the F either as a barre chord or in the ''regular'' form you describe.

If you have a capo, put it on the 2nd or 3rd fret, and then if you can play the ''F'' chord, your action needs adjusting. If not, then time and diligence can build up the technique till you can easily accomplish it.

I can play it if I capo up at the 5th or 6th fret. My guitar is a really cheap one so I don't doubt it may not be in the best shape, but the place I bought it from supposedly "sets up" ALL their guitars.

Thx for all the replies so far. I'll keep at it and hopefully I can get it eventually.

[TwoMartinMan]

The F chord can be a challenging chord to play for most beginners. You should learn to play it both ways..as a full barre chord and just barring the 1st and 2nd strings with the first fingertip and using the second and third fingers to complete the chord on the 3rd and 4th strings. You will find the need to use both fingering shapes in the future depending on the music you are playing. Keep working on it...you WILL get it eventually.
BUT...it can be impossible to do if the guitar is not set up correctly at the nut. Inexpensive guitars so often have this problem. In fact, when I evaluate any guitar, one of the first things I do is check to see if a full barre F chord can be played easily without buzzing.
Have an experienced player play a full barred F chord on your guitar and ask him if he is able to play that chord as easily as he does on other guitars. That will help you determine if the nut needs adjustment. (It sounds to me from reading your posts here that most of your problem may indeed lie there.)

[LisaLion]

Even after you have the string height adjusted, the barre F chord will still require finger strength, which you will build over time. The easiest thing that helped me with the barre F, is to make the E chord shape @ the 2nd fret, THEN barre @ the 1st with your index finger. (technique works w/ other barre chords too) Barre F is much easier for me now than the open F that many chord books show you. Good luck!

[TaoMaas]

LOL LOL LOL I almost quit guitar when I was 12 yrs. old because I just KNEW that I would never be able to hold down two strings with one finger. Thankfully, my folks told me to "keep trying...you'll get it."

[Jhengsman]

LOL LOL LOL I almost quit guitar when I was 12 yrs. old because I just KNEW that I would never be able to hold down two strings with one finger. Thankfully, my folks told me to "keep trying...you'll get it."
I came across a easy song book where the song I wanted to play had a F7 instead of a F chord. It was a remarkable discovery that I did not have to play every string all the time.

[Marshall]

Put a capo on the third fret and play a "D".

That's and F.

Or capo 1 and play an E ;) ;) ;)