hey when you get the hang of the open F chord, which you should if you want to progess further with the guitar, try a few chord progessions to practice switching in and out of the F chord. Heres some I made up. the slash means another strum of the same chord. Theres a chord diagram at the bottom.

I: F / / / Bb / / / F / / / Bb / C / :I

I: F / / / C / Bb / Am / / / Dm / C / :I

I: F / C / Dm / Am / Bb / F / Bb / C / :I Note: this is the chord progession for pachelbels canon in F

I: C / Am / Bb / Gmin9 / C / Am / Bb / C / F / Dm / F / C Bb :I

I: Gmin9 / / / Bb / / / Am / F / :I

e-1-1-0-0-1--1------------------------------------
b-1-3-1-1-3--1-----------------------------------
g-2-3-0-2-2--2----------------------------------
d-3-3-2-2-0--3-----------------------------------
a---1-3-0----1-----------------------------------
E-------------3-----------------------------------
Chords: F, Bb, C, Am, Dm, Gmin9. Note: the gmin9 is an example of variations in your chords that can enhance your sound and make it cooler, jazzy you could call it.

Edit: The note on the A string in the Gmin9 chord is optional. To you, it may sound a bit muddy. you can also make the chord a Gmin11, which might sound better to you. throw out the A string and the high E string and youve got a Gmin11. OH, and make the 2nd fret note (A) on the G string a 3rd fret note.

Edit 2: Just for fun, you should make your own progessions up to help you with the F chord even more. Use the F, Gm (or Gmin11 :D its up to u), Am, Bb (or Bbmaj7, just fret the G string on the 2nd fret and the B string on the 3rd fret and the rest is from the normal Bb chord.), C (Or C7, put your pinky on the third fret of the G string with the C chord), Dm (or Dmin7, 5th fret on the a string, 3rd fret on D string, 5th fret on G string, and 3rd fret on B string, or (you guessed it) Dmin11. This a hard shape. 5th fret on the A string, skip the D string, 5th fret on the G string, 6th fret on the B string, and 3rd fret on the high E.), and the last chord is the Edim, probably the ugliest sounding chord ever. Use it if you want, but a substitute is Fmaj7 or Em. Heres Edim for beginners: 4th fret on the A, 5th fret on the D, 3rd fret on the G, 2nd fret on the B, and open on the E. These shapes may seem hard, but get them down. When you learn more music theory, you will be able to make shapes out of these chords that may be more comfortable for you. Don't stop practicing something because its too hard. That keeps you at one level. Go above and beyond. Trust me, it works to exceed your own expectations of yourself. Have fun and rock on! Get Freebird nailed its a great song! :D


Have fun with this and nail that F chord! :)