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Location: Southern California | For the life of me I cannot get the F chord down. I cannot get the first 2 strings to ring clear, they are muffled no matter how I try to fret them.
Any suggestions? Has anyone struggled with this one & finally mastered it? No matter how much I try I see no improvement............. |
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Location: Chicago | Keep playing!! For barre chords, proficiency comes almost entirely from forearm strength. Try to play songs which have lots of F chords.
No onto the B chord... |
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Location: Southern California | well I am, but after weeks I see no progress at all, so I'm starting to think perhaps I'm just doing something wrong..........I was hoping perhaps someone else had had the same struggle & could share what they found they were doing wrong........ |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Try playing the F barre chord shape higher up the neck, say at the 7th fret (B chord). It may be a little easier up there. Then try moving it down to the fist fret as it gets comfortable. And just keep playing it - it gets easier. |
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Location: Tennessee | If you are playing it in sequence with an open C, then you can try playing it like this: (let's see if this will format right)
x - - - 1 1
- - - 2
- 4 3
You'll use your forefinger to catch the top two strings ... this is an easier way to play it than a Barre chord. From the C chord, you just have to roll your wrist a little bit and migrate your middle and ring fingers up one string, and let your pinkie drop to where it naturally wants to fall.
Aside from that, practice, practice, practice.
Good luck. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Another suggestion, practice laying your index finger across all six strings without any other fingers. Move this "open" barre chord around to different frets and play each string individually, trying to get a good clean sound on each string. Once you get that down, practice adding the E, E7 Em, Em7, A, A7, Am and Am7 shapes to the barre. Play them one string at a time until you get them all nice and clean sounding. And keep practicing - it gets easier! |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Hey FishChick-- It'll come to you! Have Patience, Perseverance, and Practice... (Yeah, yeah, Right!)
I have a thing with the Bm chord... Yes, I know how to do it, but sometimes...
And sometimes it just comes to me (or my fingers) without me thinking about it.
I think that when I think about it I think too Hard about it, I think.
[Actually, I just am not happy with that chord cuz it ain't hard-wired into my head, like the Open Chords that I learned 37 years ago. I still have trouble with the F Barre, so I use an Fmaj7 when I can get away with it. But it don't work in Hotel California] |
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Location: Tychy, Poland | buy a Gripmaster and practice as much as you can.
i've always had problems with B chord, and after using gripmaster for 2 weeks i've been able to nail B really clean.
and try to practice hard progressions for - i don't know - hour a day...
i'd say
B - E - F# - E |
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Location: south east Michigan | The F chord is the first real hurdle for the beginner.
After you master it, you won't be a beginner any more. |
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Location: PDX | Another thing about barre chords: RELAX your shoulders and use the weight of your arm to apply pressure as well as finger pressure.
It does take quite some time to get barres clean -- heck, i don't always hit them clean either.
_____
gh1 |
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Location: Japan | +1 to everyones posts but one thing you might check, or have checked, is to see if your nut height is too high.
The height on my 1881 is pretty high and I have to exert more pressure to get the F to ring clear. |
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Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Fishchick--
I have really small hands, and barre's were hard for me, too.
My suggestion would be to have someone check the neck adjustment, and see if you can't bring the strings down towards the neck a bit; the closer they are without buzzing, the easier it will be. Second is the string size--I play using 11's, because lighter strings are easier to hold down. I have played using 12's, and even 13's, and I like the sound of them, but why make life harder?
I can barre them, but I sometimes cheat by using absolutely terrible technique--I hold the lowest string down by wrapping my thumb over the edge of the neck, a "thumb capo," so to speak. (I can just see our classically-trained compatriots wincing and leaping up to protect you from such a bad influence....) I do that for the major chords; for the minor ones, I put my middle finger over my pointer and use the pressure from both to keep the string down.
You will get it; don't despair, because it will come eventually.
--Karen |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | "I can barre them, but I sometimes cheat by using absolutely terrible technique--I hold the lowest string down by wrapping my thumb over the edge of the neck, a "thumb capo," so to speak. " ...
Hey! I've been doing that for years also! I prefer to do my G chord that way, with the thumb 1/2 way down on the A string. It's a habit I formed about 35 years ago when I taught myself how to play. I DID go back and try to correct the habit by practicing the correct way, but sometimes the thumb really helps you do things to enhance your playing also. My advice is to take up classical for a couple years, and have one of the drill instructor-types beat correct technique into you. Then you can move on and develop your own techniques and short cuts. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | just got to learn to do it, no other way around it. |
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Location: Illinois, U.S.A. | Kudos for not naming this thread, "Struggling with the F-@#$%* chord" |
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Location: Cicero, NY | Yep. What they said. And, yes, we've all been there and know exactly what you're talking about.
(By the way - good question because there are plenty of things you can cheat on. This just ain't one of them. And, to head off next week's question, Eb's not either.) |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub |  |
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Location: SoCal | I just never learned the F chord. My wife doesn't allow language like that in our house, so it's not one of the three I know.... |
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Location: south east Michigan | I get around the e-flat thing by just playing a d-sharp instead. Problem solved.... You're welcome. |
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Location: Cicero, NY | Originally posted by Jeff W.:
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Another alternative is to capo up 1 and play the E (: ... It may screw up the rest of the song though. |
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Location: Southern California | thanks everyone for your advice & I'm glad to know I am not the only one that struggles with this chord! |
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Location: North Carolina | Originally posted by Slipkid:
I get around the e-flat thing by just playing a d-sharp instead. Problem solved.... You're welcome. After over 40 years of playing, I was surprised to learn recently that D# and Eb are actually not the same. The internet theory nazis were escalating this to near bar fight status, so I did a little research and found there's actually something to it.
But at this point I pretty much figure, "So what?" |
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Location: SoCal | So what is the difference? |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | It's depends on the relative key you're playing in. If you are playing in G#m, you'd go with D# but, if you're playing in Fbm, you'd go Eb.
:rolleyes: |
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Location: Utah | Try holding the guitar differently. Instead of having the guitar sit on your right thigh with the neck pointing pretty much straight out to the left, move the instrument to your left so that it is more between your legs and sort of resting on your left thigh, with the neck angled upwards.
This will change the angle of your hand and wrist because your hand will be a lot higher. You will find that you can exert more pressure with less of a bent wrist. You can put a thick book or a little footstool under your left foot to raise your thigh a bit. This might also help the guitar feel more secure in this position. |
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Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Actually, there is a "cheater's" Eb; play a regular C chord, like this:
- - - 0 X 0
- - X
X X
G C E G C E
Now, just slide it up 3 frets and don't play the higher E string. You have to be careful not to catch that high string if you're strumming, but it works for me.....much easier than trying to barre it. (Of course, if you're into Charles Ives-type music, you can whang on that open E string all you want........ :D ;) )
--Karen |
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Location: Reno, NV | Id start by taking a look at your guitar setup. Measure your action at the 12th fret (6th string open). Get that down to 3/32 by removing shims from under the saddle. Then get some 11's strings, such as the D'add EJ26's. Guitar setup is half of the battle, if not more. |
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Location: North Carolina | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
So what is the difference? It's microtonal. Apparently violinists, singers and other musicians who can control microtones will adjust for the needed difference depending upon the note's function in a scale. Some pitch charts I found on the internet show the difference, some do not. I suppose keyboardists and fretted instrument players are SOL if this sort of thing bothers them to any degree. Fortunately for me, my ear's not quite that good. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Try it like this:
x x - - 1 1
- - - 2
- - 3
I'd do it like that with a "mini barre" on the first fret till you got the hang of it. You can play a lot of country tunes with this one (CFG pattern) Once you've mastered the mini bar than do it like this:
1 - - x x x
- - - x x x
- 3 4 x x x
You'll find punk songs played this way, and it's called a power chord. Then once you've mastered this one then do the full on barre. Of course, try doing barre chords using a song with a GCA progression first, then you should have built up the strength for the barred F chord. |
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Location: CT | Just play it. Keep playing it, then play it some more. Play songs that have an F chord in them, even if your F sounds funky, and just play the song thru. You'll get more comfortable getting to and from the the chord easily, one day -- Voila!! It just comes. All at once, and you'll be like "Hey, that's not so hard!" I'd steer away from shortcuts, you're gonna want to know how to play it eventually anyway, and will have to learn a 'NEW' F chord if all you do is learn to play 4 of the strings. |
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Location: NJ | I agree with the above.
The only way t'do it, is to just Keep At It. |
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Location: Atlanta GA | I had trouble learning the F chord as well. Also I have been giving a friend some lessons and he has trouble with the F chord. I don't know what it is about that chord... But as some have said already, just keep trying and it will come. I actually look forward to fingering that chord now. Start with the C chord and just bring everything down one string. You have to change the angle of your wrist on th eway down. (or at least I do) |
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | Actually, I've found that using the thumb can make a world of difference in both barring chords and experimenting with alternate basses.
Try this type of F
T - - - 1 1
- - - 2 - -
- - 4 - - -
You simply hook your thumb over the top of the neck and hold down the low E string with that. If you really don't want that low A you can mute it using either the tip of your thumb or your 3 finger too. The cool part of this setup is that you can easily fret it up the fingerboard as well...notice you've got all the strings covered.
You've got to build strength in your thumb as well...try using a D/F# to practice with. I play a progression of D/F# to D/G(G2), like this:
D/F#:
- - - - - -
T - - 1 - 2
- - - - 3 -
D/G:
- - - - - -
- - - 1 - -
2 - - - 3 4
That has helped me build a lot of strength in my thumb, and I regularly fret/mute the lower two strings in many chords that I play. Then fingerpick this pattern: D/F#, D/G, Em7, Asus - A, repeat.
For the F chord, I end up playing it non-barred most of the time. It's much easier to do moving parts and hammer-ons that way. Sometimes it does help to build the chord one string at a time until you have the strength & dexterity you want. |
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Location: Tychy, Poland | i think cheating is not the best way to learn to play on guitar.
You want to play good & clean then work hard. if it doesn't help - work harder. if even that doesn't help - talk with your god, maybe he will give you motivation to even harder excercises.
i've had problems with simple song - money for nothing - i couldn't learn start of this song for 6 months (i was making errors every time), but when i've finally learned it, i was really satisfied.
You will satisfied too when You'll finally nail that F |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Oddly, it was the C, F and G progression that I mastered before all others way back when. Keep at it and you'll develop strength, coordination and feel in your fingers. Ultimately, you will then be able to use this chord configuration as the basis for many other chords, e.g., 6ths, 7ths, 9ths, minors, major and minor 7ths, etc. Furthermore, if you can master the barre C/D and A chords and their derivations, you'll be able to toss out the chord chart book because you'll know them all! |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Originally posted by Jeff W.:
It's depends on the relative key you're playing in. Ah, that old relativity stuff again.
Like; "In Arkasas, when you marry a girl, is she still your cousin?"
Re: "F" chord efficiency.
Try fingertip pushups until you can do them on any one finger. Should be no trouble then, though you may pull the guitar out of tune or rip the neck off the body. |
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Location: NJ | I've said it before, and I'll say it again:
Massage Helps.
(GIVING, not receiving)
It really strengthens the fingers. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I'll be at your place at 6, Clifford. |
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Location: NJ | I'll warm up the jumper cables . . . |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | and that's why there's only one "Marathon Man" Massage Clinic. |
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Location: NJ | Massage/Dental Clinic |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | <> |
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Location: closely held secret | Is it safe?... Is it safe? |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Well, at 10,000 volts it's definitely sterile. |
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Location: Central Oregon | Fifty years ago (when I was nine) my hands weren't strong enough to play barred chords so I learned to cheat & use my thumb to grab the big E when in the F position all up & down the neck.
Like so-
T---11
---2--
-34---
Later on as my strength developed I learned to do the barred chords. Now I do them whichever way is most conducive to playing a particular song or riff. I rarely play a barred chord when a cheater will work simply because it's faster for me to grab the big E with my thumb than twist my wrist for the barre, in most cases. I've never understood why some folks get bent out of shape when you use your thumb, it's there, why not use it? Chet Atkins used his thumb, Merle Travis used his thumb, Tommy Emmanuel uses his thumb. I suggest you learn both ways. If you ever learn to Travis pick you'll need to learn to use your thumb anyway, there's simply no other way to play some stuff in that style. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Originally posted by Nils:
I've never understood why some folks get bent out of shape when you use your thumb, it's there, why not use it? My hands and fingers are simply not big enough. There are very few instances where I use my thumb on the E-string (hitting the F# in the Am6 chord in the opening riff to While My Guitar Gently Weeps comes to mind as one exception). It is just much easier to barre it, which then allows me room to noodle around with other fingers within the chord. For my style and with my small hands, if I have my thumb planted on the E string, I am very limited in what else I can do within the chord. In addition, when playing in a group, the bass player covers everything down low in any event. |
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Location: North Carolina | Originally posted by Nils:
I've never understood why some folks get bent out of shape when you use your thumb, it's there, why not use it? . Agree whole heartedly.
There's a self appointed Master of All Things Guitar on the internet who insists vociferously that this causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Nonsense. The hand was engineered to grip, and this is a gripping motion. To me it makes more ergonomic sense to grip than to pinch (barre), which is a much more stressful action.
What WILL cause CTS is if you do not keep your wrist straight doing either of the above |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Who freaking cares how you finger a chord as long as you hit the right notes? I don't really think about it, but probably 60% of the time I don't use a barre F. I go for 133211 using TRPMII. I have small hands, but no trouble reaching this even on a 1-13/16. Dave |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I agree, Tupp, but at the 12th fret on a thin-necked LP, neck width is 2-1/8" and a bit chunkier than it is down closer to the nut. It is here that I can't use a thumb. I recall seeing a picture of Hendrix nearly wrap his thumb across the entire set of strings in this region. Same with Segovia. |
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Location: East Tennessee | Dave is right. Doesn't matter how you get the notes as long as you get them. I use my thumb a lot for an F chord. I also use it to get a B7. |
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Location: Japan | If the strings slots are high then an F chord will be especially difficult.
Have the string height checked. |
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| I agree with Akami, the only time I had problems with the F chord was on guitars with bad action..it's a simple thing to straighten the neck and notch out the E and B nut slots just a little... |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Richard Thompson uses his thumb a lot on the low E string, so it must be alright. |
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Location: Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire | An F chord can be a challenge to play clean without buzzing or having to develop a muscular grip to clamp that part of the neck. I find my Ovation is much easier for barring than my Guild jumbo acoustic. Occassionally when faced with a barred F chord in a tune, playing it "c" style and using the thumb for last note gets me by. Yes its not condoned by the official Academy of playing techniques but sometimes you got to use what you got to get er done!
Best regards
iglupickin (Gary) |
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Location: Denmark | For barré chords the playing position is important. The neck of the guitar should be not too far from parallel with your shoulder line as seen from the top. To most players this means bring the left hand backwards. This will promote a better angle of attack for the index finger in the barré position. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I could re-hash a previous thread, but...
I am still dealing with Barre chords, and probably always will. Tried the "Gripmaster" thing, we've talked about tennis balls...
There probably is not an exercise tool that really duplicates the the guitar neck... Except the Guitar Neck.
As much as I hate to admit it, the only thing that will help is... Dare I say it... Practice!
Similar thing... I complained about the Bm chord, which I use more frequently than the Bar F, and I have found that if I don't really Think about it, I do it better. (but that may not apply in this case) | |
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Location: Japan | Here's a quick test to tell if the problem is in the hands or high string slots.
Play a barred G or A, then F.
If they're all equally difficult then it's either an action problem all the way up the neck or a technique problem and can be cured with Old Man Arthur's suggestion... Practice!
But if G and A are easy and F difficult, the string slots are too high... and practice will still help! | |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Bm..Bm....A..A...F#m.F#m..Bm...
Find The Cost of Free-ee-Dom
D....D...A...A...Bm...
Bur-reed in the Ground
Bm..Bm....A....A...F#m..F#m..Bm...
Mo-ther Earth will swal-low you
D....D...A...A...Bm...
Lay your Bo-dee Down
Just play that a dozen times a day, or until your neighbors beg you to stop. :p
Practice, Practice, Practice... | |
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Location: San Bernardino, California | Technically all you really need to play is
xx---x
----2-
---3--
--4---
Root + third + fifth. | |
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Struggling with the F chord