F Barre Chord & Options

We're going to tackle a chord that can be seen as one of the biggest challenges at this level - the F Barre Chord.

Why learn the big bad F chord?

• Some songs require it

• Gateway to all E shape barre chords

• Other options available for complete F chord arsenal

Barre chord finger warmup, 1st stretch here!

F barre chord

• Took your elbow into your side of the chord playing hand

• Guitar right in at the hip, into the body

• Make sure the 1st finger that's barring is touching the strings on the outside of the finger not placing it down flat

• First finger only needs to hold down strings 1, 2 and 6

• Other fingers - 2, 3 and 4 curled right over

• The wrist should have a natural and gentle curve to it - not at an acute right angle to your chord playing hand

• Thumb placed directly behind in the middle of the back of the neck

Extra points to consider:

• Hybrid F option - MOST common at beginner level

• Recommended chord change to nail at this stage is - C to F

Try this exercise:

• Form an E major chord with fingers 2 (fret 1 string 3), 3 (fret 2 string 5), and 4 (fret 2 string 4)

• Make sure E major chord rings out just like with the normal fingering

• Keeping that shape in mind and move it all up 1 fret

• Now we can use the 1st finger to barre across fret 1

You should now see clearly why the 1st finger only actually presses down strings 1, 2 and 6

Hopefully this means all the strings are ringing out on F barre chord but do not worry if this does not fall together immediately - It will definitely take time for anyone to get used to this chord!