Pesky F(major) chord


emsm2
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Joined: 01/24/20
Posts: 9
emsm2
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Joined: 01/24/20
Posts: 9
09/04/2020 3:32 pm

I'm finding playing the F chord cleanly really tricky. I'm not pressing down the first two strings cleanly with my index finger so I get a rubbish sound about 90% of the time. Does anyone have any tips please?


# 1
William MG
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Joined: 03/08/19
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William MG
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Joined: 03/08/19
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09/04/2020 3:50 pm

Hi,

Made some time ago for someone else but it might help

F


This year the diet is definitely gonna stick!

# 2
Carl King
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Joined: 10/08/07
Posts: 466
Carl King
GuitarTricks Video Director
Joined: 10/08/07
Posts: 466
09/04/2020 4:02 pm

Hey emsm2!

Mike Olekshy has a great video about this on our YouTube Channel, with some very good ideas in it. I always recommend this to people struggling with Barre chords:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlY3ngFeoPU

-Carl.


Carl King[br]GuitarTricks Video Director / Producer

# 3
matonanjin2
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matonanjin2
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09/05/2020 4:03 pm

@emsm2, 90% of us (or more) got that rubbish sound 90% of the time (or more) when we started barre chords.

I haven't watched William's video on it but I'm sure it's helpful. I have seen him before, unselfishly, make these videos to encourage and help fellow learners. And, of course, Mike Olekshy's lesson on the topic undoubtedly is helpful.

But I think what you are going to find, especially with retrospection, is it just takes time. Don't get discouraged. You need to build finger strength to be able to press down sufficiently to get those first two strings to ring clearly.

I'm certainly not qualified to give advice. But that won't stop me. Don't make the mistake that I did and stay on barre chords too long. I worked on them for months; almost a year. My advice is get them "good enough" and move on. As you continue to work other things, which will occasionally include barre chords, they will improve as your finger strength increases.

good luck!


[u]Guitars:[/u] 2014 PRS Santana, 2013 PRS Paul's, 2009 PRS Hollowbody, 1972 Gibson ES-325, 2012 Fender Strat American Standard, 2012 Yamaha Pacifica, Martin M-36, Martin 000-15M, Seagull S6 Classic[br][u]Amps:[/u] Fender Blues Junior III, Boss Eband JS-10, Line 6 POD 500X, Quilter Microblock 45

# 4
mjgodin
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mjgodin
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Posts: 455
09/05/2020 4:39 pm

I'm not sure, but I think she is talking about the Open F Chord. Not Barre. Is that right emsm2?

If so Williams video is helpful and as a beginner myself I can't offer you much more than what he says other than it does take a long time to get. I started in November of last year and I still struggle with it, especially when trying to quickly transition from other chords like G maj.

Your not alone as it's been asked by many students so if you poke around on the forum specifically in the "Ask Instructor name" Section down below on home screen you'll find some tips from them that should help, but again keep in mind it takes a while to get this one down so stick with it.

One tip I do remember Lisa talking about is tilting your index finger slightly to the side to get more of the boney part of it pressing the strings instead of using the fleshy part. That might help get a better sound.

Anyway Good Luck with it.

Moe


# 5
matonanjin2
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matonanjin2
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Posts: 357
09/05/2020 4:46 pm
Originally Posted by: mjgodin

I'm not sure, but I think she is talking about the Open F Chord. Not Barre. Is that right emsm2?

Whoops. Probably so. Thanks for pointing that out.


[u]Guitars:[/u] 2014 PRS Santana, 2013 PRS Paul's, 2009 PRS Hollowbody, 1972 Gibson ES-325, 2012 Fender Strat American Standard, 2012 Yamaha Pacifica, Martin M-36, Martin 000-15M, Seagull S6 Classic[br][u]Amps:[/u] Fender Blues Junior III, Boss Eband JS-10, Line 6 POD 500X, Quilter Microblock 45

# 6
mjgodin
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Posts: 455
mjgodin
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Posts: 455
09/05/2020 5:04 pm

No problem,

It's an F Chord, open or barre I still hate it.


# 7

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