what's the trick behind the F Chord?

[Rhino Cock 3000]

I understand how to do the F chord. the problem as you might have guessed comes when I had to barre the B and High E string. I can get 3 out of the 4 strings to ring clearly except the E. just because the finger is too "meaty" to press down with pressure.

I can get it to ring completely but I have to press down so hard that my hand hurts like a bitch after releasing it.

so what's the trick?

[ChokingVictim]

Keep practicing it, you'll get it after a while

[Echidna]

I tried doing it for a few years and gave up. If a song has an F chord, I'll play something similar, or capo it and play everything different. I avoid that shit, everyone says, "you'll pick it up" but I never did. Then again barre chords took me years and I'm still shitty.

[FON]

Keep practicing it, you'll get it after a while

I think thats the only advice we can give you :(

[Maddo]

I've never really had this problem, but I usually leave the bottom two strings off barre chords anyway.

You could try rolling your finger in a tad onto the slightly bonier side, but it might be too awkward, idk.

[RadioFree]

Give up and learn bass.

[reggie_love]

Give up and learn bass.

It's your only hope.

[Rhino Cock 3000]

holy shit. somehow I picked the guitar up, and I was able to do it. weird...I can do it now.:bluecool:

[ChokingVictim]

holy shit. somehow I picked the guitar up, and I was able to do it. weird...I can do it now
It was my ever so motivational speech.

[Rhino Cock 3000]

probably was... it happened after reading this thread.

walked up to my guitar and said "no way in hell will I play bass", picked the bitch by its neck, and I did it. :)

[Σnigma]

Bar the strings with the side of your finger.

[Mr.Happy]

When there's a song that calls for an F and it's too tricky to make the change in time, I tend to play Fmaj7.

xx321o

I actually prefer the sound of this chord over F in a lot of songs.

Expect to get royally pissed off by songs requiring a B chord, by the way.

[Treefingers.s]

I will try this one :cool: :


Dm7add9
---3---------------
---6--------------
---9--------------
---7--------------
---5--------------
------------------

If I can't get it, you will have to.

EDIT: I can't get it :(

[beergoggles]

If you have big hands like I do, you may find it more comfortable to use your thumb to fret the bass notes ala Jimi Hendrix/John Frusciante style.

http://www.poster.net/hendrix-jimi/hendrix-jimi-photo-jimi-hendrix-6229645.jpg

I actually like that way a LOT better than fretting it with my pointer finger.

[Mr.Happy]

If you have big hands like I do, you may find it more comfortable to use your thumb to fret the bass notes ala Jimi Hendrix/John Frusciante style.

Goddammit, that's always seemed so intuitive to me but my hands aren't quite big enough to do it comfortably while fretting chords. I make use of it when I play blues, though.

[Rhino Cock 3000]

I will try this one :cool: :


Dm7add9
---3---------------
---6--------------
---9--------------
---7--------------
---5--------------
------------------

If I can't get it, you will have to.

EDIT: I can't get it :(

jesus fucking christ! is that even real? how are you supposed to stretch from the 9th fret all the way to the 3rd?

[Mr.Happy]

jesus fucking christ! is that even real? how are you supposed to stretch from the 9th fret all the way to the 3rd?

Capo on the 3rd would be my guess.

[Treefingers.s]

Here is some motivational porn to help you with your guitar playing:

http://www.efukt.com/2445_Tighter_Than_A_Nun's_Pussy.html

[FON]

jesus fucking christ! is that even real? how are you supposed to stretch from the 9th fret all the way to the 3rd?

It can be done. I can get from the 1st fret to the 7th...Only note getting me with that chord is the 5th fret A string.

[T.K. Baha]

Just use your pointer finger to bar the first fret and practice. Its not that hard.

[Rhino Cock 3000]

yeh I finally go it.

[Rykoshet]

Either play it with your thumb on the low E string like the guitarist from the Chillis or leave off the low E string for now, until you've got enough strength.

It was my worst and slowest chord when I started, but now I can barre anywhere without a problem.

Also, don't start with the F barre chord. Try the A barre (5th fret), the strings there are a lot easier. And if you're doing acoustic, try and get some practice on electric.

[meta]

Alternatively you can press your thumb hard against the back of the fret board to gain the extra pressure. Your hands will be pretty sore but if you keep practicing they'll get stronger and you'll be able to play it no problem. Good luck.

[SexyWoodenSpoon]

Keep practicing it, you'll get it after a while

To reflect what everyone else has said, this.

I've played now for almost 8 years and constantly learning new things every day. The only short cut is hard work unfortunately, with any instrument. Think how worthwhile it will be at the end.

[sevenTwo]

I will try this one :cool: :


Dm7add9
---3---------------
---6--------------
---9--------------
---7--------------
---5--------------
------------------

If I can't get it, you will have to.

EDIT: I can't get it :(


Dm7add9
e---0---------------
B---3--------------
G---0--------------
D---3--------------
A---0--------------
E---3--------------

This is an easier way.

Have fun with your chords, kiddies.

[SexyWoodenSpoon]

Dm7add9
e---0---------------
B---3--------------
G---0--------------
D---3--------------
A---0--------------
E---3--------------

This is an easier way.

Have fun with your chords, kiddies.

This,

I remember a while ago finding a chord cheat sheet, told you exactly what finger to put where and if you found that too painful it would give you a simpler way of playing it. I'll try and dig it out.

[Shaggy]

There is no trick. I've been playing guitar for 6 years now, and I thought I would never master that chord my first couple months. But you do with practice. Just keep trying.

[SexyWoodenSpoon]

There is no trick. I've been playing guitar for 6 years now, and I thought I would never master that chord my first couple months. But you do with practice. Just keep trying.

Cannot be said enough.

On a lighter note and slightly off topic I remember reading this in a guitar magazine by someone who had wrote in:

"Is there any way I can make my fingers callus up quicker? I've heard dipping them in vinegar or playing on nylon strings will break it in gently. It hurts :("

The response? "Grow a pair of balls and play like a man, no pain no gain".

Unfortunately this is why there are over 2000 kids who give up guitar because they want to be able to play like slash but aren't prepared to put in the effort.

[Rhino Cock 3000]

yeah I heard dipping in vinegar works, but I think I'm one of the only few people who loves feeling that pain when playing the guitar for too much. it's really satisfying. it's sort of like that working out pain that a lot of people seem to enjoy too...

though sometimes I do get worried because the pain is in my wrists, and I heard that's a big no no because it can really fuck up your guitar playing if you keep doing it. but yeah, that F chord is a piece of cake now, and so is (almost) any barre chord I want to do.

[SexyWoodenSpoon]

yeah I heard dipping in vinegar works, but I think I'm one of the only few people who loves feeling that pain when playing the guitar for too much. it's really satisfying. it's sort of like that working out pain that a lot of people seem to enjoy too...

though sometimes I do get worried because the pain is in my wrists, and I heard that's a big no no because it can really fuck up your guitar playing if you keep doing it. but yeah, that F chord is a piece of cake now, and so is (almost) any barre chord I want to do.

Dipping in vinegar is an old housewives tale, it will only end with your fingers stinking! Just practise this combination:

C -> E/C -> Am -> G -> F -> Em -> F -> G.

The last G keep it barred.

[naterd00d]

tune your guitar down. it will be easier, the thing is, if you have a shitty guitar, the piece that holds the strings off the fretboard at the top holds the strings very high so its almost impossible to stretch the strings down.

or get better strings :)

[Mr.Happy]

^ Lighter gauge strings help.

[naterd00d]

^ Lighter gauge strings help.


that too

[Caramello Koala]

The closer your barring finer (index) is to the fret, the easier it will be, also try and curve the finger a little.

[Σnigma]

I used rubbing alcohol on my fingers when I first played. Supposedly that's what Eric Clapton did when he first started guitar.

Of course, the first day I got my bass I played until my thumb bled. And then I went and got a pick and played some more.

[SexyWoodenSpoon]

I used rubbing alcohol on my fingers when I first played. Supposedly that's what Eric Clapton did when he first started guitar.

Of course, the first day I got my bass I played until my thumb bled. And then I went and got a pick and played some more.

This, play until you bleed then find a way to stop the bleeding and get back. As the old saying goes - no pain, no gain.

Reference the bass playing I played slap and pop till I got blisters, then plasters over the blisters, then played till the plasters ripped.

[Satyr]

Try to keep your thumb behind the neck. If your thumb shows on the topside of the neck of the guitar, the force you can apply in your finger AND thumb is a lot less. If you place the top of your thumb on the middle of the neck, you can apply force on your thumb, and that will help a lot. Try to ALWAYS hide your thumb behind the neck. If the inside of your finger doesn't work, try the side of the finger. That's the stuff we learn to play classical guitar. And believe me, the necks on those guitars are a lot wider than those of an electric guitar.

Also, with your thumb behind the neck, you can play a lot faster. It takes getting used to, but it does pay off once you master it.

[Σnigma]

This, play until you bleed then find a way to stop the bleeding and get back. As the old saying goes - no pain, no gain.

Reference the bass playing I played slap and pop till I got blisters, then plasters over the blisters, then played till the plasters ripped.

I'm working on slap bass right now. The slap is easy, even with fingers besides my thumb, but I can't get that damn pop down. It takes too long to pluck it to keep it in rhythm. What would you recommend?