7 Quick And Easy Ways To Play The F Chord On Guitar

Are you struggling to play the F chord on guitar?

This chord can be quite the bugaboo for guitar players. In fact, there’s a reason why it’s called the “F” chord. 

Many guitarists hate and avoid it like the plague.

But I can show you how to not become one of those players - pain-free. In this post, I want to reveal some powerful tips to help you overcome what may feel like an insurmountable mountain.

So grab your guitar, and let’s learn how to play the F chord step-by-step!

What notes are in an F chord?

From a theoretical point of view, the F chord is built the same as any other major chord on guitar. However, because of the way the guitar is tuned (in standard tuning) only the open A string can be used in an F chord. But because it’s such a low note, it’s not ideal to have ring out. This means essentially you need more guitar skills like muting and bar technique.

Let me explain…

Major chords are built from a specific interval set. An interval is the distance between 2 notes. Major chords start with a major third interval, and then a minor third interval.

A major third has 4 half steps, and a minor third has 3.

So if I start on the note F and go up 4 half steps this lands me on the note A. From there, if I continue up 3 half steps I’ll arrive at the note C.

• F to A = Major third
• A to C = Minor third

An F major chord is built from these three notes F, A, and C.  

That’s it!

This means any F chord, anywhere you learn on the neck, is simply a combination of the notes F, A, and C. This theory also applies to piano and other instruments as well. For example, if I went to the piano and played the notes F, A, and C, I would get an F major chord on piano.

So it’s any combination of those three notes anywhere on the neck. 

Here is an example:

Want to learn to plays chords and lead guitar anywhere on the neck? Grab my free fretboard guide right here:

What is the easiest way to play an F chord on guitar?

Now, sing you have the theoretical background of understanding how to play the F chord on guitar. You can play it using those 3 notes anywhere on the fretboard. 

But each one requires different skills. Some require more muting than others. Some require the ability to bar (which can be tough if you haven’t learned to do this effortlessly yet).

I’m going to answer this question in a short (cheat) way. And then a longer version.  

Here’s the short (cheat) way first. If you’re struggling with an F chord. Try playing the 3 notes we learned above but adding in the open 1st string like this: 

Now, it’s important I make clear that this is an Fmaj7 chord. You’ll notice it has a slightly jazzier sound including that open E note on the 1st string. It won't work in every song. However, in many songs, this chord shape will work. (Especially songs in the key of C major). This allows you to strum from the 4th string down. You don’t have to bar and… you don’t have to worry (as much) about muting which is a struggle for beginner players. You simply aim your pick from the 4th string down and try to get all those notes to ring clear.

This means your fretting hand fingers need to stay on the tips, and you can get playing some of your favorite songs.

However, this is not a long-term solution. The long-term solution is to be able to handle any F chord shape and, with (almost) no effort.

So here are a few more shapes I would recommend:

Middle strings F (no bar):

This chord shape is great because it sits right on the middle strings. It gives you a full meaty sound without having to bar. It’s also very easy to transition to (with practice) when playing simple songs in the key of C major.

Half F:

This chord is often a go-to for many guitar instructors as an easy F chord on guitar. But I’ve actually found it’s almost harder for many students.

5 Down F:

This is a great next step between the “middle strings” F chord and a full-on bar chord. (That’s coming up next.) I use this shape quite often.

Standard F bar chord:

Behold… the dreaded F bar chord. 

This is the one that has made guitar players actually cry, and want to give up. It’s the one I see many players who have been practicing it for 50 years, still struggle with. It’s one I’ve guitarist hurt their hands with and do long-term irreversible damage when it’s not done correctly.

The process I teach to correct this usually takes 30 days if a student properly applies my methods. But this is way beyond the scope of this video, if you’ve struggled with this, sign up for my email list to find out more. 

This then brings us to one of my favorite ways to play the F chord on guitar and that is…

The Jimi Hendrix Style F bar chord:

This F chord shape uses the same notes as the dreaded F bar chord, however the fretting hand fingers change. Meaning instead of playing the low 6th string with the index finger. You bring your index finger down (towards the ground) and bar only the 1st and 2nd strings.

Then you wrap your fretting hand thumb over the fretboard and play the 6th string. Now, keep in mind if you have a classical guitar, this is going to be difficult (maybe impossible) due to the neck width. But it can be done on most electric guitars, Gibsons with fatter necks maybe difficult. 

It’s also important to keep in mind that it’s kind of like doing the splits. Meaning you don’t just lunge into it. You’ve got to warm yourself up, and keep trying for a while (this can take years) for your hands to properly stretch out.

This is something that happens naturally when you play guitar. You’re hands stretch out.

Why is it so hard to play an F chord on a guitar?

As mentioned above the F chord is hard to play on guitar because of the notes that are in it F, A, and C. If you compare this with say an Em chord which uses the notes E, G and B, all of those notes can be played on open string.

However, in standard tuning, only the open A string can be used in an F chord. But because it’s such a low note, it’s not ideal to have ring out. 

This means essentially F has to be played in a closed position (no open strings). This makes it more challenging because you’ll need more guitar skills to make it sound great – like muting and effortless bar skills.

How to Position Your Hand for the F Chord

It will move depending on what shape you are using. If you don’t know how to navigate this, you will get stuck.

Songs that Use the F Chord

Here are 3 songs that use the F chord.

Let It Be – The Beatles

Dreams – Fleetwood Mac

Have You Ever Seen the Rain? – Creedence Clearwater Revival

This chord can be challenging because (most of the time) it reveals incorrect technique and underdeveloped skills. However, I must point out that if you practice more the wrong way you can do long-term damage. So if you get duped by all the blokes online nattering on and on about how more practice is going to help. You may be in for a rude awakening years down the road.

Conclusion

So there you have it – 7 ways to play the F bar chord on guitar. 

Keep practicing, and if you want to know how to play chords like this all over the neck, better understand the fretboard, and not waste years spinning your wheels with guitar, grab my free fretboard guide right here now:  

Jon MacLennan