Dreaded..F barre chord

[Joe-Bob]

I never had trouble with it. Remember, your index finger only frets strings 1, 2, and 6.....not all of them.

It can be brutal if your nut isn't done right, though.

[FirstBassman]

Originally Posted by kp8

I think the point behind specifically saying F is that that particular chord shape in the first position is physically taxing as it is so close to the nut.

Got it. Makes sense. Thanks.

[Rick J]

A beginner acquaintance recently asked me about playing the dreaded "F" chord on his guitar. He handed it to me and I found I couldn't play a full barre F chord on it either! Like many guitars I come across owned by relatively inexperienced players, the nut was cut way too high. With acoustic gauge strings, 54's I'd guess, this meant for a very tough squeeze on the first couple of frets. I showed him my own guitar, with the nut cut correctly so the clearance over the first fret is only fractionally greater than the clearance over the second fret when fretted at the first, and he could play a barre chord on it fairly easily. Action at the twelfth fret on both guitars was more or less the same.

Rick J

[supersonic1414]

Cursed with small hands.....SO barre chords are the only way as getting my thumb around is near impossible for an f chord......

[pjholland]

I'm self-taught but I learned early on that when you drape the thumb over the neck it makes it very difficult to move/use your other fingers. I think it really limits what you can do. I always considered it bad technique.

[Celticophilia]

A gazillion ways to express an "F" chord. No right way, no wrong way. What works best and is comfortable for you. Barre chords are considered "power chords" which are favored by rock rhythm players. Jazz, Classical, Fingerstyle players all tend to favor fingerings that offer greater flexibility for inversion, change, etc.

Basically, if you want to effectively barre and you have no physical challenges, then keep practicing at it. Don't overdo the practice however. I ended up with a frozen shoulder from over practicing on the fiddle a few years back. Probably improper positioning played a part as well, I admit.

Good Luck!

www.edharrismusic.com

[allen st. john]

Lots of acoustic players use the "thumb over" F chord. Even on a good acoustic, it's pretty hard to get a clean tone from a full barre at the first fret.

But even for advanced players, the "thumb over" makes for easier chord changes, and allows them to use the pinky to add melody notes. From Doc Watson to Rev. Gary Davis to the aforementioned Merle Travis, it's one thing they agree on.

[refin]

I remember reading somewhere that Jimmy Page said he couldn't make proper barre chords,and played them like the OP pic.
I find the downfall of alot of acoustics (even high end stuff) is that the nut slots could be cut a little deeper.

[Celticophilia]

Amen to that allen st. john!

[TelecasterSam]

I use both methods, but I think I go with the thumb more often. It depends on if my hand is in pain at the moment I have to change to F! Long time with the aches and pains in my left hand. But higher up the neck I usually go with the 1st finger Barre. When I learned, it was the thumb on the 6th string, then went to the finger, now back to mostly the thumb in my older age.

[Ormond]

Get the nut cut down and use lighter strings.