F chord

I have been practicing the lessons every day for four months. Made some proress but the F chord is still a huge challenge. My index finger just cant seem to hol down the first two strings. Watching the lessons it looks easy, like they are hardly applying any pressure. It also looks like they are holding it on the fret bar. To make it work I have to use vise grip force on the strings.

Not an expert. 6 months in.

All the barre chords look as if they just lay their finger across the fret. There's a lot more going on.

The finger has to be behind the fret but near the fret. Same as if your making a single note.

The thumb is down and behind giving something to push against. [br]It's hardest at the first frets. Try just doing the one finger higher up the neck. [br]I now make a C shape or an Am shape then just lay the first finger back down against the E string. [br][br]

If it's finger strength an exercise is to press. Only as you strum and release.

1 strum, then 2 then 3. Treat it like gym work for your finger. Press, release,press,release.

You can do this with a full barre finger.

Start up the neck and move back down in steps if your strings ring clear[br]Maybe just 3 strings, then 4 and 5.

This gives us a measure against our improvements rather than repeat trying and failing. [br][br]

Don't let the frustrations get you down it does improve but it is slow and steady. [br][br]

As a last thing, the acoustic is much more difficult to make the barres sound across all strings.

Just how it is. [br][br]

Somebody more experienced will be along to post but sometimes it takes a while depending who is around.

They'll all tell you, practice,practice. No quick way round it.

Dave

Originally Posted by: cary.johnson

I have been practicing the lessons every day for four months. Made some proress but the F chord is still a huge challenge. My index finger just cant seem to hol down the first two strings. Watching the lessons it looks easy, like they are hardly applying any pressure. It also looks like they are holding it on the fret bar. To make it work I have to use vise grip force on the strings.

Everything Dave said,

Plus...........

If you haven`t already, check to see if the action on your guitar ( height of strings) can be lowered and a smaller guage of strings switched in. Both of those will help make fretting barre chords a bit easier.

Hope that helps.

Originally Posted by: cary.johnsonthe F chord is still a huge challenge.[/quote]

You're far from alone. Most people find either form of F at the first fret particularly difficult starting out, whether pointer finger on the 1st & 2nd strings only or full barre.

[quote=cary.johnson]My index finger just cant seem to hol down the first two strings.

From as you describe, it appears you're talking about the first form using your (1st) pointer finger on the E & B strings at the first fret rather than the barre F.

Fretting Fmaj, 1st finger this form.

You don't need a "vice grip". In fact, that's something you should consciously avoid getting into a habit of as a beginner, and will as awareness develops. However, pressing too hard on the strings to fret chords is a common characteristic of all beginners, particularly those playing acoustic guitar.

No information provided by you as to whether you're playing acoustic or electric, so I'll presume acoustic.

First things first. [u]Finger positioning[/u]. Any chord requiring fretting of a string or strings between the nut and the first fret will require marginally more pressure than others. This can be minimised by paying particular attention to ensuring [u]finger placement immediately adjacent the first fret[/u]. The closer to the nut you place that pointer finger regardless partial or full barre, the more pressure will be required to fret the notes on those strings.

Later you'll become aware and consciously deliberately focus upon minimising pressure generally whilst fretting to just sufficient to fret the required notes, but for now, just be aware of the placement of the pointer finger I mentioned in the previous paragraph.

[u]Leverage[/u]. Thumb positioning, hand and pointer [u]finger angle[/u] to fret F there is important, the two forms requiring different positioning. Go back and watch the video a few times paying particular attention to that. FWIW, when requiring Fmaj in conjunction with any progression using other open forms e.g. C-Am-F-G, I prefer to play it with the two finger 'mini-barre' form as taught by Lisa in that lesson for a myriad of reasons I shalln't expand on here.

[u]Guitar Setup[/u]. No info supplied about the guitar you're using, so has it been set up? Which leads to;

[u]Action and string gauge[/u]. If your action is [u]too high it will make fretting harder[/u], as will strings of heavier gauge. Acoustic guitars come with heavier gauge strings than electric, and some uncoated round wound in medium gauge (.13s) can be rough on unaccustomed fingers. Additionally, if your strings are old, replace them. Not only will they not be smooth to fret, but will have lost elasticity if they are [u]very old[/u], and will sound deader than strings still within optimal tone life. IMPE Dreadnoughts usually come with .13s sometimes .12s as standard fitment. Concert or Folk generally .12s. Personally, I don't like anything heavier than .12s (light) which I found fine for learning with, but you might like to switch to something lighter if you're struggling.

All the best with it. As you said in your opening statement, "it looks easy". As with most things guitar, the doing is always more challenging than the watching. It will get easier over time, but for now, technique reinforced with repetition. All the best with it.

It requires a really good "pinch" and finger strength. But if you keep working at it, it will come together. Go slow, take breaks.

I wrote a song today that uses the Fmj. I hated it at one time.

Anders currently has a channel lesson on the GT Fbook page.

specifically on full barre chords but nicely explains the press and release method of the finger strengthening exercise

Let’s look at the correct way to play an F guitar chord first, then we’ll look at the easier alternatives. Sound like a plan? Let’s do it.

Ok, this is how an accomplished guitarist plays an F chord. (By the way, did you know that the full name of an F chord is “F Major”? Most of the time people just call it “F”.)