F chords are actually possible to play, right? - Page 2

Alawiggle · October 11th, 2006

I figured it might be all a hoax for all their difficulty.

Sentimental Cynic · #16 October 11th, 2006

Ironically enough, I stopped having guitar lessons years ago after trying to learn the F chord. This time though I'm going to get it, that's for sure.

gollo · #17 October 11th, 2006

Try to relax your hand as much as possible, especially the thumb. Start out by just laying the fingers on top of the strings until it feels comfortably, then gradualy increase the pressure until you have enough pressure for the chord to sound. As soon as you feel any pain STOP. You need to gradually build the muscles up until they are comfortable with what is an unusual position for them to be in.

It also important to remember that everybody has a differently shaped body, from short stubbly fingers to long skinny ones, and everything in between. If it is physically impossible for you to hold a "one fits all" F chord shape, there are ways around it, so don't give up.

Alawiggle · #18 October 13th, 2006

I did an F chord nice a clean finally. Granted, I had a tremendous amount of pressure on it, but hey, at least it's a start.

Chaotic Kittie · #19 October 13th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alawiggle

I did an F chord nice a clean finally. Granted, I had a tremendous amount of pressure on it, but hey, at least it's a start.

Be careful there though, the pressure ONLY should come from your fingers, do NOT tense neither forearm, wrist, nor thumb to add pressure. Only press with the fingers. You'll regret it later otherwise, like I did...

Alawiggle · #20 October 13th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaotic Kittie

Be careful there though, the pressure ONLY should come from your fingers, do NOT tense neither forearm, wrist, nor thumb to add pressure. Only press with the fingers. You'll regret it later otherwise, like I did...

I tensed thumb for sure...how can you play F chord without utilizing the thumb?

I guess fingers must get really strong.

gollo · #21 October 13th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alawiggle

I tensed thumb for sure...how can you play F chord without utilizing the thumb?

I guess fingers must get really strong.

Its normal for the thumb to be somewhat tensed, don't worry. Just make sure it's not too tense. If you can slide the F chord up and down the fretboard while still holding the strings down, you should be ok. If your hand is stuck like a vice, you are using too much pressure.

btw

well done!

guttertrashsingalong · #22 October 13th, 2006

try laying the thumb flat across the neck if your just doing it with thumbtip n center

Fretsource · #23 October 13th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by gollo

If your hand is stuck like a vice, you are using too much pressure.

I agree with that - Too much pressure can damage your hand and slows everything down. You can't be nimble fingered while maintaining a vice-like grip.

Try this:
Hold the F chord in a good position applying just a little pressure to make good contact with the strings against the frets. It probably still won't sound good - but don't squeeze any harder. Instead, use your arm to pull the neck towards you - but stop the neck from actually moving by applying force with your other arm against the body of the guitar. The result is you can hold the F chord much more easily. You may even find you can release your thumb completely and still get a clear F. (Not that you should do that though).

garydavis · #24 October 13th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaotic Kittie

Barre chords... uh. I've played for more than 1,5 years now, practising barre chords at least a little every day of training. I still can't do them. Oh, I can, but I have to use my thumb as a clamp, and that can damage (and already did damage mine) the thumb.

So first I thought it could be because of a badly setup guitar... but I've tried lots of guitars, even the schools guitars, which must be the worst guitars ever as for sound and quality, but the playability is close to PERFECT. Guitars where I hardly have to touch the strings to get a good sound out of it, but when it comes to barre chords, NO. Impossible.
Since I barely see anyone else having THAT big a problem with barres, I'm beginning to think that it's something about me, something I'm doing wrong, or anything like it.
Any advice?

(sorry for hijacking thread! :O)

try googling "how to play bar chords"

Also, one important thing is make sure your putting strenth into your thumb and not as much as your finger thats fingering the bar chord.

timba33 · #25 October 13th, 2006

http://www.tampaguitarlessons.com/betterbarchords.htm

Although, you can roll your index finger toward the headstock a bit more than the pix

hb · #26 October 14th, 2006

I started playing the guitar about 10 monthes ago and one of the things I tried was the dreaded "F" chord. I could not even come close to doing it so I just gave it up as it was one of those things that was impossible and I was content in accepting the fact that it was something that I just could not do. I continued to practice hard at the things I was able to do and after a few monthes, I ran on to a song that needed the "F" chord and I hit it without too much trouble. I had not practiced it, it was just "there". I am convinced that monthes of practicing the guitar, that my fingers-wrist-arms, had adapted to what I was doing and was finally flexible enough to finger that chord. It has convinced me that our muscle-memory over a period of time, (mine being 54 yrs.) is reluctant to change, but it you force it enough, it will come! The fingers have to be convinced that they can do more than just hold a pencil. There are all kinds of contorsions that our body is capable of being bent in to, we're just not ready to go there yet. So keep plucking and it will come!
hope this helps,
hb

RC Antolina · #27 October 14th, 2006

Very good and encouraging responses. I only wish something like this forum was around back in the 50's when I was just starting out.

Stay with it alawiggle. It does get easier. In fact, I'm now playing the impossible (for me) B chord as a result of all the encouraging posts I've been reading both to myself as well as others like you.

Abe · #28 October 14th, 2006

Bar chords ...... I have been "playing" guitar for a LOT of years, but "playing" not studying it. The 3 chorders with a sprinkle of 6 or 7 other chords across a few keys. At one time I could pass a few First Position (F) Bar chords with the old C(7 Fret) Am (5th Fret) F (1 st) G7 (3rd fret) 60's R&R Progression. I played 5 string banjo for a while - much easier - two less strings (5th not fretted) .... But now the strength or technique in my left hand for bar chords is pretty much gone. Are there any exercises - like squeezing a rubber ball - that can be done on the morning commute that will build the muscles in the forearm and hand to be able to anchor the index finger in a vise grip with the thumb? After that, I'll worry about my fat fingers interfering with the adjacent strings.
Thanks so much for this terrific website and your very generous sharing of your talent and time. This hacker much appreciates it!!!

Abe in Concord, NC

thatdoesntsoundright · #29 October 16th, 2006

I tried practising Kirk's lesson for Here there and everywhere by the beatles especially part2 where it had a lot of barre chords.

justinthyme · #30 October 16th, 2006

One of the first guitar instruction videos I ever bought featured a rather well-known (in NZ anyway

) New Zealand guitarist who basically admitted he still struggles with the F chord after 15 years or so of playing. So don't worry too much about taking time to master it!