Ah, yes. The F chord guitar, every new player’s nightmare. As a beginner you might feel confident when playing other chords but when someone asks you to play F chord you may not have the same confidence. I'm able to relate this situation as most of my students did feel the same initially.
However, sooner or later, you have to learn how to play it right!. So, don't try to run away from it. In this article you will learn about this infamous chord, and I will show you guys some easier variations of it. Ready to get started!
WHY SHOULD YOU LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE F Chord Guitar?
Being a teacher, many times, my students have asked me if they can skip this chord. Unfortunately, no, no, you cannot. As tough as it may be, you must learn it. You should, too, because, well, first of all, there is no way you can actually “learn the guitar” if you skip over one of the most fundamental pieces of it.
Secondly, it is used in so many popular songs, old and new, that eventually, you will run into a situation where you must play it to cover a song. World-famous songs like “Another Brick in the Wall Pt.2” by Pink Floyd, “Hey Good Lookin’” by Hank Williams, “With Or Without You” by U2, “Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd, and many more.
How to Play the F CHORD GUITAR?
There are many versions of playing the F chord, that I will be mentioning below. According to your potential and how much you wish to challenge yourself, you can pick one:
1. Barre Chord Version:
This is arguably the toughest version and the reason why the F chord has such a Voldemort-esque persona. Here is how you play it
Here is another barre chord version of the F but on a higher octave
Once all the fingers are in position, strum down to the high E. Make sure there is no buzzing or blocked strings.
This version of the chord is tough because you must barre an entire fret, and not only that, you barre the 1st fret, which is nearest to the neck. It requires the maximum amount of pressure, so it is understandable if your fingers pain afterward and you do not get it right up on your first try.
2. Easiest version, the 3-finger:
There is no shame in starting slow, never starting is the problem. So, if you do not feel confident in playing the F chord’s tougher variants, try this one.
This is the easiest version as it uses stronger fingers and a very simple shape. Once you have mastered this, move on to the next version.
3. Middle of the road, 4-finger version:
This version sits between the barre and 3-finger version. It isn’t tough, but not very easy as well. Here is how you play it:
This version is still a little complicated as you need to press down upon two frets with a single finger, but it does offer a fuller sound compared to the 3-finger version while not being as tough as the barre chords.
Some Advice
Learning barre chords can be pretty challenging. In case you aren’t able to play a barre chord on an acoustic guitar, try shifting to an electric. Electric guitars have much lighter strings and a slimmer neck, so playing a barre chord on them is much easier.
The best advice I want to give you is “play it slow. If you can play it slow, you can play it fast”. Focus on playing it correctly, rather than focusing on pace.
CONCLUSION
That's a wrap! I've provided an easy guide on how to play F chord guitar, including few tips. I hope it has helped you out! Now, you have to try and select any one of the playing methods given above. It took me years of practice to become a master in F chord. So, as I've mentioned above, keep practicing until you become a pro at it. I wish you good luck!.
Gibson is a blogger and reviewer, whose passion is helping people with all the aspects of music through the blog he provides. Also, he is an artist and loves to create his own tunes by purchasing good quality musical tools. With his own experience, he has provided a great list of tools for you in this blog. Seeking the best quality musical tools? Read this blog and end your music thirst!