F chords

Hello, I'm a new member and a beginner on the guitar. I'm having great difficulty fingering the F major and minor chords. My finger just don't seem to reach certain frets. Does anyone have any clues on how to play theses chords correctly? (yes, I know, practice, practice, practice)

you'd probably get the help you need in the "Guitar Basics" section. When you mean F major and Minor, do you mean the actual chord in the key of F, or do you mean the "F-style" chords? I assume the latter.

~Incidents

Hey Don! Welcome to GT!!

Lets see here, to play a F chord... This is how I do it. (note, this is the Long chord, not the Barre chord.) I learned this form before learning the barre form. It requires less finger strength.

Use your index finger on your fretting hand and hold down both the high E string and the B string in the first fret. (high E and B strings are the 2 skinniest strings if you did not know)

Place your middle finger on the G string in the second fret. (G string is 3rd smallest string)

place your ring finger on the D string in the third fret. (D string is 4th smallest string)

Play the chord strumming only the strings you have fretted (High E, B, G, and D)

hope this helps a little. Anyone else hop in and clarify if needed. Im not the best teacher.

Hey check out my tutorial

http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=8283&s_id=76&next_id=8284

particularly pages 3 and 5

hey, Don- I learned to play an F chord like the Toxic Trooper,with the addition of fingering the A or fifth string on the third fret with my little finger. You can also use your thumb to finger the low E string. Since this is a moveable shape (meaning we can play this chord anywhere on the neck of the guitar as long as the same finger arrangement is used), practice playing the chord shape on, say, the fifth fret. This A chord has the same shape as the F but you'll be working against less string tension so you won't wear your fingers out as quickly. The same idea works with a barre chord-it's easier to learn the shapes playing in the middle of the neck when your index finger is working against less string tension. As your strength and dexterity improve you'll be more able to make the barred chord shapes on the first few frets.

ez@fission
I am a 50 something who plays with the guitar.I have played a long time but not very well.I have never spent any time trying to learn any type of picking and am sorry for it now.I have large hands (size 14 ring) and find it hard now trying to get used to barre chords and even some major chords without the barre.Maybe your suggestion about practicing up the board will work for me as well.Any one else who has any ideas that may help this ol' timer,please do.By th eway I like mostly the old country or old 50's and 60's rock music.

Hey dude have a look at my "Bar chords and voicing" tutorial. It may help !

Originally Posted by: Dougmnez@fission
I am a 50 something who plays with the guitar.I have played a long time but not very well.I have never spent any time trying to learn any type of picking and am sorry for it now.I have large hands (size 14 ring) and find it hard now trying to get used to barre chords and even some major chords without the barre.Maybe your suggestion about practicing up the board will work for me as well.Any one else who has any ideas that may help this ol' timer,please do.By th eway I like mostly the old country or old 50's and 60's rock music.

Hi Doug
As far as the bar chords if your having trouble with them i suggest learning,
the open string Chords first .(Mainly the open E chord !plus what ever chords you already know.Try getting them nice and clear when you stum down!
You need to experment with your left hand fingerings.
Now as far as bar chords, I teach the open E open A open D 5-chords by just just useing the first finger (index finger on your left hand then adding
the third finger for a shuffle beat.
When i do teach the Bar chords i still start by teaching a G5 index third finger ect .Now why i said the E chord first is because really it is a bar chord
the Nut on your guitar is takeing the place of your index finger .
The main thing doug is have fun thats what its all about .
So your in the big 50s ha ha i just turned (65) i'm still on the road with my
band 2 or 3 times aweek . Plus i teach when i have the time.
I started playing guitar in 1962 .


(Keep Picking but have fun)

skee1=Mark Toman

Hey Mark, it is lovely to see you posting at GT again !

If you ever find yourself gigging in Iowa City let me know and Ill come along !

Iowa City ok
But we been going south here latly its warmer.

Have fun Dr.S
yours truly Mark T.