[joeski]

Regarding an F chord:
I have pretty big hands but cannnot for the life of me get both the B & E stings fretted with my index finger while arching to fret the G & D with my other fingers. For now I have to settle with leaving the E string open or deadening it. Any suggestions? Thanks so much

Joe

[country_takamine]

Hi Joeski,
The F chord takes more strength to get all the strings pushed hard enough to get a clear sound. I found it easier to point the neck of the guitar up more when starting to learn until you build up more strength (same for starting to learn barr chords). Before long you'll be able to hold your guitar down in a more comefortable position. There's no quick way, all it takes is practice, practice, practice. Hope this helps.
Byron

[strbfields4ever]

If I may throw in my 2 cents here.
I have just learned to play an F major (barred) chord.
I have been playing guitar 2 1/2 weeks. I have kept struggling with this chord as it is in so many gazillions of songs and I felt it necessary to get on it.
I have checked around on the net and read all sorts of advice and tried as many as I could find. I should explain that I had an accident in '95 and severed the tendons in my left wrist, so I am whimppy, my fingers always feel stiff to me. I really wanna learn to play guitar.
I found a way to play F that worked for me: I came in the back door.
I position my pinky, ring and 2nd fingers on their strings first . I then barre the 1st fret with the index finger, taking care that the 1st, 2nd and
6th strings ring out clear. It doesn't matter if the other strings in that top fret are barred at all. Makes it loads easier. I also noticed that the index finger curves towards the nut, not flat like I was trying to play it.
Today I learned B minor, which was dead easy as I tried it the same way as old F .
I can't tell you what this does for my confidence.
Anyway, I hope this may help those struggling a bit. I know how hard being a newbie is.
Good luck everyone.