been trying to play the f chord but finding it difficult to get notes out of the 1st and 2nd strings because u are meant to use your first finger to hold both these strings down. any tips ?
Personally, I find playing the F as a barre chord much easier.
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1 1 1 1 1 1
| | | 2 | |
| 3 4 | | |
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ditto
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Yep, I learned the full barre F the first time...seems easier to me as well
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I agree also with the full barre. I use F quite a bit in strumming now but still can't play the shortened version well.
Keep working on it. Play the notes one at a time and move your fingers around slightly until they all ring clearly. Once you have got that down then try switching between F and C chords.
I agree with learning the full barre. I can play both equally as well but I usually use the full barre so I have the option of playing the bass note.
Try rolling your fingers over a little toward the nut so your index finger is at an angle.
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on my 12 string,
i learned with the xx3211 version first, it was really really easy for me.
i'm just starting with barre chords and 133211 way is probably the easiest barre chord there is :)
Practice the shape some up the neck as well. If you play that partial f shape at the fifth fret, for example, it's an "A", at the third fret, a "G". It's a little easier at those frets and as you get better at fretting the G and A, you'll find it easier to slide the shape up to the nut for the F. (And yes, use your index finger to fret strings one and two).
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I would say it's like many things on the guitar in that it takes a lot of practice/repetition to get it right. I don't think the full barre is easier on an acoustic but your results may vary. I'd suggest trying the "mini-barre" F a little each day until you get it to sound clearly. Keep practicing and you will eventually get it.
Good luck!
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I hear people giving advice to use the barre chord instead of the "traditional" fingering and my question is this .... when DO you know which one to use ... or is it really up to you? I mean I could do a E type barre for A or I can do open A ... but if I'm reading a music sheet ... how would I know which one to use?
Thanks for letting me go off topic for a bit
Logan5
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I hear people giving advice to use the barre chord instead of the "traditional" fingering and my question is this .... when DO you know which one to use ... or is it really up to you? I mean I could do a E type barre for A or I can do open A ... but if I'm reading a music sheet ... how would I know which one to use?
Thanks for letting me go off topic for a bit
Logan5
As you get better you'll kind of have an idea of which shape chord you want to do to get the sound YOU want until then use the one your most comfortable with.
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on my 12 string,
i learned with the xx3211 version first, it was really really easy for me.
i'm just starting with barre chords and 133211 way is probably the easiest barre chord there is :)
ditto, and learning it the "hard" way will make it easier to do a lot of the other open chordings from that position
#4491....
No one mentioned that if you learn the full barre, you can just not play the 5th and 6th string and it is the same as the half barre. But by leanring the full bar you have the option of the bass note when you want it.