F Chord Creating Problems

just started a couple weeks ago and until today, so far so good. Really having trouble with the F Chord. When I "pad" my index finger on the first fret, I am okay, but as soon as I try to put my middle finger on the fretboard I lose my index finger, and it gets worse when I try to add my ring finger. My guess is this is just supposed to come if I "keep trying" but any other tips?

Thanks.

Well, you want the answer from someone else that's been playing about a month too :)

It's not just you. I have that same problem, and have been working on it. It's not as easy as Christopher makes it look :) What I do is play the chord through slowly checking for intonation of each string at a time for each step. I do just the index finger, and set it until I get the B and E strings, then add the middle finger, then then adjust to ring each string right, then do the last finger. Sometimes, it takes me a full minute or more to get all fingers down to satisfaction lol. But, I'm starting to see that placing slowly and properly is building good muscle memory already to do it quickly.

It is indeed not as easy as it looks in the beginning.

If a chord is difficult what I do is rotate a chord change.
F is difficult for nearly everyone in the beginning as is (the worst open chord in the world) B7.

What I did was going from A to F back to A to F slowly building up speed but starting very slow to get it right rather than fast.

B7 - E switch will become helpfull as well (only need A to get the blues).

Anyway, like all say, go slow, is really true.

You could also put your fingers down in reverse order. Ring finger first, then middle, then try to get your pad down. This might help you get the position better too.

I have been going on this for about 2mths. I am trying C-F and for F i usually put down in order of ring, middle then index last. I lay my index almost right on the side and very close to the 1st fret bar so after I've played it a few times I have two lines on the thumb side of my index finger. Seems to be working out well, my only challenge with that pesky F chord now is to be careful not to mute the b string with my middle finger.

Originally Posted by: Bluepick1956You could also put your fingers down in reverse order. Ring finger first, then middle, then try to get your pad down. This might help you get the position better too.

That is definitely easier to get my finger in position. Just wondering if there is any reason NOT do that as I progress...is it just another option, or is there a reason it's not taught that way originally....I am willing to go slower upfront if it helps longer term. Thanks.

There is no reason not to, because as your fingers learn the chord, you will no longer put them down in any order. You will just play the f chord. I know this is hard to believe, but there will come a time when you can't remember not being able to make the chord. There are a very very, lucky few that don't have to go through the same thing. We have all been there. Does not matter about which finger you put down first. Just keep working at it, and pretty soon all fingers will go down at the same time. Don't give up, it will come.

Originally Posted by: Danielle LambI have been going on this for about 2mths. I am trying C-F and for F i usually put down in order of ring, middle then index last. I lay my index almost right on the side and very close to the 1st fret bar so after I've played it a few times I have two lines on the thumb side of my index finger. Seems to be working out well, my only challenge with that pesky F chord now is to be careful not to mute the b string with my middle finger.

You Will want to work on getting your 1st finger (index) to lay flat on the pad at some point. While it is ok for now, you must spend a little time working on it, every time you play. And keep stretching your fingers. But very slowly and it will come.

Thanks for the tip Bluepick :-) Need all the help I can get

Keep playin