The F guitar chord can be fairly difficult to play compared to most of the other open guitar chords. As a beginner guitarist you mind find the f chord takes a little longer to learn and master. A certain level of finger conditioning and strength is needed to successfully play the chord and have it sound correctly.
One of the main difference in the f guitar chord compared to other open chords is that you will need to use a barre. This is where you use one finger to fret more than one note.
Here is the definition of a barre guitar chord:
“Barre chords (sometimes misspelled as Bar chords) are a type of guitar chord where one or more fingers are used to press down multiple strings across the guitar fingerboard (like a bar pressing down the strings)”
Playing a F Guitar Chord
Place your first finger and press down on the first and second string on the first fret. Next add your middle finger to the correct position on the third string. Finally place your ring finger on the third fret, fourth string.
Now holding this position may be uncomfortable to begin with. For now just practise taking your hand away from the guitar neck and then placing your fingers back in F guitar chord shape.
Once you feel comfortable holding the shape try strumming the four strings. You will notice the two crosses on the fifth and sixth strings. This means that when playing the chord you don’t strum those strings.
To start with the chord may sound very muddy and not all the notes with ring clearly. To solve this try just playing one string at a time making sure each note rings clearly. If it doesn’t adjust your finger until it does. Making sure to press down slightly behind the fret wire.
The F guitar chord can really be one of the toughest to master for a new player. Just keeping trying it everyday and soon you will have this chord under your belt.
Once you can play it practise changing from other chord you know to the F chord and back again. Why not give the chords G and C a go? Both go extremely well with the F guitar chord.