[lucybeth]

hi. can anyone explain to me why there are 2 different ways to play the f chord. One has you barre the whole of the 1st fret and then the other has you barre just the first two strings on the 1st fret. How much of a difference does it make? Or does it come down to personal choice?
on the subject of barre chords, I dont think I will ever get them! Especially the f chord where you only barre the 1st two strings!
Any help, advice greatly appreciated!
lucybeth

[737blues]

Any chord can be played with just three notes, Lucybeth. The proper name for that is a Triad. Often additional notes are repeated, added or subtracted to change the 'colour' of the chord as well as giving it certain muscal qualities like minor, major, seventh and so on. Personal choice certainly can determine how a player makes a chord too.

Have a read of some of the lessons here and all will be explained:

http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/chords.html

[GuitarJim]

I know your pain LucyBeth. Everyone has problems with bar chords. When you learn them though it can take your playing to a whole different level. I have been trying to get my brother to play them for the last 4 yrs. All it takes is practice. I use bar chords and partial bars more than open chords. As for the F chord, it is like the B chord. The only way to make these chords is by bar chords. When using and F, I just bar the whole thing and play the strings I need at the time.



JC

[cshude]

Barre chords are essential if you want to be able to play any song you want. Yes, there are a ton of songs that use only open chords, but there are millions that require at least 1 barre chord.

Keep working at them and you will eventually get it. As GuitarJim says, everyone has problems with them. It took me nearly 2 years to be able to play an F cleanly every time. Some of it is developing the finger and hand strength to do it, some of it is just the dexterity to get the fingers in the right place, the rest is paractice and determination.

[allthumbs]

You want to leave the F chord and the B chord for last. Once you are comfortable with other barre chords, that are easier further up the neck, tackle them again.

[Teddy Madison]

I use one F or another depending on the song. For instance, In "Wanted, Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi, there is a transition change from C to F to D. I find that the "mini" F chord is easier here. I can just move my message and ring fingers down one string and roll the index finger down over the high E to get from the C to the F.

The full F chord will sound fuller but the F is only played for and eighth note so it's not noticeable.

I do the same thing in "Mother" by Pink Floyd. Although in this case I am being lazy. The F is played a full measure.

Wayne

[Cliff]

The action (height of the strigns) on the guitar will make a big difference as to how difficult the open F chord is or the bar chords but they're necessary evils no matter what. Stick with it.

[aaronblyth]

I have been playing for 7 months and the only main chord I really have trouble with is B. I find it so difficult to play.

On the F chord I wanted to leave it alone but realized you really need barre chords if you want to progress so just stick at it

[lucybeth]

thanks everyone. glad I am not the only one to find these difficult! i will persevere no matter what.

[Stratrat]

There are very few people who don't find the B and F chords difficult when first learning......just keep practicing and eventually you'll be wondering what you found so difficult about them!

[jase h]

lucybeth

I truly believed I'd never be able to play an F. Its only been the last month or so that I realised that I can now play it clearly and importantly switch to and from it like any other open chord. I practiced F to C to G to F over and over and finally its paid off.

[stubbie7]

lucybeth

It WILL come. I spent so many years mostly playing only the barre chords that for a time there I was having trouble with the non-barred chords. So, even if you find them difficult keep practicing them because in the long run you will want to make your chords all kinds of ways.

[solidwalnut]

Originally Posted by jase h

lucybeth

I truly believed I'd never be able to play an F. Its only been the last month or so that I realised that I can now play it clearly and importantly switch to and from it like any other open chord. I practiced F to C to G to F over and over and finally its paid off.

Excellent. Way to go.

[aaronblyth]

How do you play the B chord.

do you use your ring finger to bridge the D,G,B strings and then your index to play the single A string?
I find it hard to bridge the 3 strings with my ring finger. Or use your 3remaining fingers to hold the D,G,B strings...

does that make sense!!

sorry for the thread hi-jack lucybeth

[si16]

Either way is acceptable aaron. Keep practising both as they can both come in useful. I prefer using middle, ring and pinky as it's good to lift any of those fingers to change the chord slightly i.e lift the pinky for Bsus2, lift the ring finger for B7 (does that make sense?).