[Beginner_guest]

So I havn't learnt F chord, I know it's tough to do for new players such as myself, I was wondering if there is some sort of alternative that has a very similar sound and what is the easiest fingering for it. Or a variant of the F Chord with easier fingering, similar sound to the standard way most learn it. I will learn it eventually, but I am seeing a lot of songs I wanna learn have F Chord so I'm unable to learn them.

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by Beginner_guest

So I havn't learnt F chord, I know it's tough to do for new players such as myself, I was wondering if there is some sort of alternative that has a very similar sound and what is the easiest fingering for it. Or a variant of the F Chord with easier fingering, similar sound to the standard way most learn it. I will learn it eventually, but I am seeing a lot of songs I wanna learn have F Chord so I'm unable to learn them.

What exactly are you struggling with in using the typical first position F chord?

[Beginner_guest]

This is about the easiest F Chord I could find, but mini barre with finger 1 and then trying to stretch to the positions for 2 and 3, especially 3, is proving difficult, that is without my fingers hitting every other string (and non-existance strings)

[thesteve]

The chord you just posted would've been the one I would've recommended.

you could try a modified Fmaj7 as follows

xx321x

[Beginner_guest]

Originally Posted by thesteve

The chord you just posted would've been the one I would've recommended.

you could try a modified Fmaj7 as follows

xx321x

from that website, justinguitar, that is how I've been playing Fmaj7, I thought that was the chord for Fmaj7, didn't realize it was modified. However, I play with the first string open, dunnno if that makes a big difference. so that fingering is a decent substitute for F? And the image I posted, got any recommendations on getting my fingers to stretch?

[thesteve]

First string open is a Fmaj7. If you mute the first string, then you do not have a maj7th note in the chord, just the F, A and C notes which comprise the Fmaj chord.

[Beginner_guest]

I see. Thanks for clearing it up.

[Giga Hertz]

I always play it:
x3321x (I usually end up playing it with an open E anyway).

Makes it very easy to switch between F and C, too.

[metropolis4]

My advice would be, even though it's tough, keep working on it rather than trying to find an easier way to play it. Keep pushing through and it will eventually become easier as you begin to build the muscle memory. The best way to learn guitar is to never take a short cut! Do the hard work now, and you will be rewarded later on.

As for getting your fingers to stretch, try this:
Fret that shape for the F chord, except fret it up on the 10th fret like this:

10
10
11
12
X
X

Fret that chord (which happens to be D), and play each string individually. Make sure you can hear every note ring out. Next, move that whole shape down one fret like this:

9
9
10
11
X
X

Do the same thing; play each note individually and make sure you can hear each note ring out clear. Then keep slowly moving that shape down a fret at a time until you get to the F at the 1st fret.

Do this same exercise each time you practice, and eventually it will help you get your fingers to stretch the way you want them to. It will also help you build the muscle memory for that chord shape, which will come in handy down the road

[mathminnick31]

It took me a year and a half to two years to play a Bm well. I agree with Metropolis 4. Keep at it. Being able to play barre chords is SO WORTH IT. I've been playing since July 2010 and still can't comfortably play a B or Bb in zone 1, but I throw the barre chords in there now--so much easier. Also, the full barre F in zone 1 sounds great when it's done right--not weak and tinny like the xx3211. Get a hand grip strength thing, watch your thumb placement and work on it. You'll get it.

[CheshireCat]

*Should I? . . . shouldn't I? . . . should I? . . . shouldn't I? . . .*

[darfaz]

Originally Posted by Giga Hertz

I always play it:
x3321x (I usually end up playing it with an open E anyway).

Makes it very easy to switch between F and C, too.

I use this fingering a lot, too. Especially when it's just me and the guitar. Sometimes it sounds better than having to switch to the barre chord.

[rook3207]

There is an app that I use a lot that could really help you out. I know its for Android, not sure what else. Jam Box. It will show u multiple ways to play a chord and it will play the chord for u. Very helpful

[tekennster]

Ok... Theres one more way to play F major chord
And thats a thumb over the neck... And its holding an F tone and all other tones are pritty much the same
I will mark this tone with *
So it looks Like this:

* 3 3 2 1 1

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by CheshireCat

*Should I? . . . shouldn't I? . . . should I? . . . shouldn't I? . . .*

Apparently you decided on "shouldn't"