A gifted teacher. So few teachers bother to make a student comfortable with struggling at the beginning, providing the encouragement to keep going. This man knows the secret.
This can't be said enough! I just started my journey and my teacher is so encouraging. I'm my worst critic, so it is really nice to have that validation. I came here because, I too, am having a tough time with F. But, I am getting it around 4 times out of 10, so I am on the right track.
If you can already play a 3-finger F power chord in your sleep you can think of it as the same shape but with an extra note ..that little mental trick really helped me unlock this chord
Don't give up. I have torn and missing ligaments in 2 joints of my left thumb. I was playing acoustic. It took me 6 months of daily F chord practise before I could get all the strings to ring out. It was another 12 months before I could play it quickly enough to play it in a slow-ish song. Now a few years on and I play that E shaped chords all over the neck of my acoustic or electric. If I can do it then I'm sure most of you can do it. One thing I did that helped a little was to switch to lighter strings. Most acoustics come standard with 12/56 gauge strings, I switched to 10/46. Justin has given some really good tips here and it was good to see that he related that you really have to find what works for you. This is the best video I have seen on F chord .... and I've seen a lot. Keep practising :)
@@yourneighborhoodfriendlyme4242 I hoped my post would help people. Thanks for letting me know. When you get this F chord down the struggle will give you the confidence to tackle anything on guitar. Good journey to you :)
Thank you for that encouragement. It is sorely needed! I have been trying just to get the bar to ring out on all the strings never mind all the other fingers and can now do it occasionally after practicing for a month. I was starting to think I would never ever be able to play the F chord in a song, But your post has given me hope. Thank you!
I’ve been playing guitar for the last 10 years and I would like to say that - For all the newbie guitarists out there, F chord can seem like a nightmare, but like the amazing Justin says here - don’t let this difficulty fool you into believing that you’re not gonna get through it. Dear Justin you have amazing patience, which is required of a music teacher. . Your students are lucky to have a dedicated teacher who doesn’t mind spending time to make a tailormade-16 minute video on just the F major chord! Keep rocking as always!
Been playing for 7 years. Within 3 minutes in your video I learned that the bar finger doesn't need to slam down on ALL the strings. I never knew that. #alwayslearning. Can't wait to try that. Thank you.
This guy is literally the best teacher I’ve ever had. Encouraging, tells you where the struggles will be and how to get through them while making those hurdles as low as possible. I can’t believe this is free
I couldn't play a single barre chord. It seemed impossible. But now 6 months later I can play all 4 main barre chords individually (shifting between them is a challenge ). So if any one is struggling with barre chords it will definitely happen just give it time ! There is honestly no secret or hidden technique to master. Just a lot of practice and a lot of experimentation (see what works for your fingers cause we have differently sized hands - Justin is absolutely right !) .
I absolutely love how you always highlight that it's important to be kind and patient with yourself when learning how to play the guitar. When you are saying that it might take months or weeks to get some chord or technique right it actually encourages me to practice and I don't feel down about not getting something right straight away :)
Learning guitar is / can be a lifetime pursuit. It is no race that's for sure. :) | close 2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide [ www.justinguitar.com/ ] & Moderator on JustinGuitar Forum [ justinguitarcommunity.com/index.php ]
Thank you very much - helping keep lessons free for all. Cheers 😊 | close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Moderator on JustinGuitar Forum [ www.justinguitar.com/ ]
I teach guitar to a mate and for the time inbetween I advise him to watch Justin's lessons. He is brilliant at helping newbies with problems. He is one of the best on here I would say.
I struggled for weeks doing the bar chord, with so much pain in my wrist and arm. Than I found the way Mark Knopfler does it (with thumb on 6th string). That was the real game changer for me.
@@tunod- it can if you strain too much while you’re doing it, but if you practice it mindfully you can play it very comfortably. It also opens up the use of your fingers a little more which means there’s a lot more possibilities for what notes you can play within the scale when you’re using a barre chord. There’s still times for me when the more traditional barre chord works better in a chord progression so it’s not necessarily a perfect substitute, but it’s perfect for things like finger style and classic rock. As long as you listen to your body and make sure your hand feels comfortable while you’re learning it then it’s one more technique in your tool belt that can help you make the music you want to make
NO WAY! I've been playing as a novice for 20 years, always struggling with the F chord. I thought my pointer had to be flat. I can't do it. You changed my life. Chuck Norris calls you for advice. I regret I only have but one upvote to give to this video.
What i learned from your oh so positive videos is practicing. Because something magical happens from one practice session to the next. Somehow my subconscious sorts things out for me. So, what might’ve even difficult the day before seems to be a major improvement the following day. My F Chord still stinks though.
Eureka!!!!! I just played a perfect-sounding full F 3 times in a row.........I placed my E-chord fingers down then moved my first finger up 1/4-1/2 inch, poking over the top of the low E. After checking I discovered that the top edge part of my finger is only fleshy, the bone actually starts further down. I'm SOOOOO pleased I watched this lesson!
jesus dude youre a gift of a teacher like. what an honor to have found such a great teacher with such great techniques and tips and understanding of individuality in learning!!
Hi Justin, just want to say I rarely ever comment on any youtube videos, but after slowly making my way through the lessons on your app (and always dreading getting to the F chord everyone warned me about) this video got me to playing a clean F in only a day! Can’t wait to get it ingrained in muscle memory and incorporated into my skillset. Love your work mate.
I find it helpful to watch this video every few months to keep me on track. You will often notice with any video that each time you watch something new seems to present itself! Such a helpful guy!
I just turned 65 and I am left handed. I been trying to learn left handed guitar like forever; especially the F chord .Usually I get frustrated and just start playing free style which I have no idea what i am playing. I go by the theory that if it doesn't hurt my ears I must be playing something right.I want to get to the point where i can jam with others but always feel intimidated by my lack of skills. You just showed me the trick to getting around the F chord and I thank you. I need to watch your videos for left handed guitarist but right now it is after 2 a.m.
8:05 - 8:30 Thanks for describing the exact process I'm going through; looking at the video and the comments, it takes time. I'm aiming to dedicate 10 minutes a day on the f-chord and see how it goes in a year from now. It's called 'F' for a reason ... but this video gives hope.
just got my first Guitar today. I have played Ukulele for about 10 years, and I cant tell you how much its helped! I didnt think there would be a lot of knowledge carry over, but my chord shapes, bar chords, hand strength, and finger callouses did carry over; which is nice. My favorite song to play uses F, so Im practicing like a madman!
I’ve been playing for a while but have stayed away from bar chords and a complete F chord. I finally decided to keep watching lessons to grow in my skills and I was able to get it to ring out fairly quickly and correctly I think because my fingers have strength and practice from waiting to get to this point. I’m extremely encouraged that I was able to get it a few times and I’m gonna keep at it! Thank you Justin for all you do for beginner guitarists 🙏 I love all of your tutorials
Man, this is really helpful. Thanks for all the lessons. When I first started learning guitar, I honestly thought it would be impossible for me. But I found your site a couple years ago and have come a long way since then. Still not a virtuoso or anything. But I'm getting better all the time and actually playing songs. Thanks man.
Thank you Justin. I've played the F bar chord for decades but was never comfortable using it. I understand that the reason it is so hard at the first fret is because it is so close to the nut. These tips are really helpful. Craig Ewinger
I have recently been struggling with the F Chord. I have been playing for 5 months since the pandemic started. I was getting down and frustrated because I could not get sound from to the two thin strings. This video gave me encouragement that it is going to take some time and practice. Thank you Justin.
I think I just pulled of learning the F barre chord in 5 minutes, because of your tips in this video. After learning the F mini chord last couple of days, which had my struggling a bit more, but I got it after watching your other video. Very happy and excited! Thanks a whole lot for the excellent advice and tips!
Excellent video, Justin! At first, it seemed impossible to form the F chord, as my ring and little fingers were so weak and forearm would get pretty sore. I’m sure this is where many learners give up. I keep coming back to review this video because it is really detailed and helpful, especially your suggestions of rolling the index finger some, where to put the thumb, and using to forearm. Great suggestions! I’m making some progress now. Thx for this video!
You are absolutely my favorite guitar teacher. You're not only extremely knowledgeable but also caring and you help remind me that it's okay to fail. Cheers Justin
As a beginner/intermediate player w rather odd shaped hands ( my hands are large palms w short fingers) I very much appreciate your teaching style... we are indeed all different and we have to find what works for US.... I get a bit frustrated w huge long fingered teachers saying “just practice , you’ll get there” . I have to do things that long fingered players don’t.. for instance my thumb absolutely cannot do any thumb over stuff.. in fact my thumb is dancing all over the back of the neck when I play, sometimes riding on the very bottom edge of the neck just to reach certain things.. so I very much appreciate you you speaking to us all when you teach.. one of the best teachers out there! Thank you!
Thank you for these tips. I nearly returned my guitar after I bought it when I couldn't make myself play a barre chord. I have smaller hands and was really struggling. A musician friend told me to keep at it, that I would eventually get it, and while I've improved, I felt like this lesson was SUCH a revelation. I'd never thought of the F chord as a modified E chord before, and it was like a light bulb went on - same with the Bm. Within minutes I was actually playing it - not well of course, but at least it is recognizable and sounded like something!
If only someone had laid it out like this when I was learning! Would have saved me a decade of frustration. Justin, you are such an amazing teacher! Thank you so much.
What's funny is I was working on the chord while you talked and almost immediately my whole arm got tired. Well, the bicep and forearm got really tight and I thought I was REALLY doing it wrong and then real time you said to use the whole arm! I don't feel so bad about my instincts anymore! Lol
Was worried starting this because I heard how notorious this chord is, but luckily more or less got it after a couple attempts. Only because of how great of a teacher Justin is :)
Hi Justin. I'm very excited. After working on it for a couple of weeks now, I finally got the F chord to ring out on my acoustic guitar. The B string still sounds a bit muddled, but further practice will fix that. Thanks so much for the lessons, and even more more the encouragement!!!!
Wow, right as you showed the trick of keeping the thumb in line with the middle finger on the fretboard, the chord rang out clearly for me! Really shows how everyone is different and has to learn what works for their body.
So for anyone struggling with this I found a mental hack that blew my mind and unlocked everything for me - just imagine you're playing a power chord rooted on the low E string and add an extra note. I play alot of rock so power chords come naturally and I found this little Jedi mind trick allowed me to now get in and out pretty fast by leveraging that existing, built-in muscle memory by forming that mental connection
Oh man. I was instantly able to play the F chord after you talked about the finger poking out slightly. I had always struggled to generate enough force to get the 2nd string to ring out, even when my other fingers arent doing anything. Just putting a different part of my bony fingers on that string made a world of difference.
I've found for some bizarre reason, I seem to be able to change to f a lot better when I'm not looking , discovered this when I was just sitting watching TV practicing 7 chords for the blues module , done some f changes , a mini miracle ! 🙂 maybe worth trying .
F*** F. I have been struggling with it for 31-32 years now. Ugh. Ok. Finally something possibly helpful. Seems so common sense now. I wonder why i was taught to try to force my fingers to play it the “correct” way. In 3 decades of struggling, I still am having a very hard time getting the B and E string to ring out clearly, and i am not even trying to play the bass E and A string. I see now if I move my finger forward a little bit I can get a little more clarity in the notes plus it feels more comfortable like I’m not trying to be a contortionist. I really really appreciate this. Thank you so much. I’m classically trained, and my teachers never introduced me to the concept that there might be a better way for me as a woman with unique anatomy to play some chords. There was only right and wrong, which has left me discouraged so many times. And nobody ever said that F was hard for everyone either. Also, even though my thumb was in the right spot, The way that you’re kind of twisting/rotating seems to make a huge difference although I just trying it right now for the first time. Also, pulling with my arm seems to be helping. I have been squeezing/pinching and I do get so much pain, in hand and wrist. I actually stopped playing the guitar for over five years because I was having so much pain, though a lot of that was from a car accident. I am trying to pick it up again and have subscribed to your channel. There are a lot of things that my body just doesn’t do, but I am now hopeful that I can find my way around these obstacles. 😊
Really amazing video -- many instructors do not focus on the physicality (and physics) of these tougher motions. Extremely grateful for your insights, high-quality instruction, and love.
thank you so much for being so kind and reassuring!! you're such a gifted teacher and learning from you is so encouraging, thank you for always encouraging us to be patient and persistent with ourselves, i really don't know if i'd be able to teach myself guitar without such a wonderful teacher! :) i'm a girl with small hands so this felt ESPECIALLY challenging, but with your kindness i knew i could get through anything. thank you so much!! :)
Just got a guitar, picked up a chord sheet and looked at the F and thought “oh ok, how do you play that”. On to youtube and see this video. Put my fingers in position, strummed.. perfect 👌. HOWEVER, the B chord!! Now thats a different ball game.
Thank you for putting this video, give me idea of how to get this F chord. It call F for a reason 😂 and now i really want to get a new guitar, (i have an acoustic)
Hello Justin! Mega-mega thanks for the advice at 11:50 i.e. combination of elbow pulling back and some squeeze with index and thumb to grip the chord. After practicing for 3 months I started feeling pain in the fleshy part of thumb at its base. Currently, I am giving it a rest for a month so that the pain gets eliminated faster. Can't wait to get back onto it again with more understanding.!! Mega-mega thanks again..!!
30k views? Should have at least a million views for such an amazing lesson Learning and transitioning between barre chords is a huge milestone in playing
I would make a suggestion for learners. As Justin pointed out, this is a movable shape. Start with the A chord which is the 5th fret for the barre. It takes less pressure than the 1st fret. Once you can do the A, then move up one fret, then another, etc. It'll be less frustrating this way.
Everything you’ve taught is so detailed and helpful. The one issue I’m still experiencing is with the B string. It is pretty much always muted still. I’m sure I just need a lot of practice, but I figured it’s worth mentioning since all the other tips led to super quick improvements. Thanks for a great video and any comments are much appreciated!
Make sure your other fingers aren't muting the B (most likely finger #2). You could try picking that string and lifting each finger one at a time to see if the note starts ringing out. If so, you'll need to arch your fingers more. (Palm parallel to the neck, push your hand a little further out so the fingers get more clearance.) Might also try sliding your finger a little further across the neck, or pulling it a little back down. I found that my finger's not flat, so the near the knuckle frets more strongly than in the middle. Rolling the 1st finger more toward pressing with the side also helps get a flatter and harder surface. Sometimes just a little tweak can make a big difference, so try experimenting with little changes while keeping that overall shape. There's a combination that will nail that B string, but the exact positioning is a little different for everyone.
Drew Davis Thanks! That’s great-so much detail. I was wondering about the 2nd finger muting the string. I think it’s more about the right mixture of pressure and angles of the hand and finger etc. Thanks again for the detailed response!
@@maiorana6 Drews's answer was really good but if its not that it might be that the B string is sitting in the joint crease of you barr finger. You might be able to fix it by moving your barr finger up or down a bit. If that does not solve it then you could try angling it a bit. After playing it a lot you might get callouses or thicker skin on the side of the finger that makes the crease less of an issue.
Reginaldesq Hi, sorry for the late response. I think you may be into something. Drew’s response helped, but I notice how much harder it is when I try to barre without the 6th string. I’ll try different angles and positions, etc. Hopefully those callouses will build over time and things will come together. Thanks so much!!
Jeez this is hard Edit: 12:30 this is amazing! After putting my thumb further back I was finally able to fret the F chord with my fingers fairly straight. Great attention to detail, thanks.
Thank you Justin. This is a great video. I started playing in high school and now I'm 28 and finally able to start playing this chord thanks to you. I need to stop doubting and keep practicing and building muscle. You're amazing. The detail in your work is just what is needed for someone like me.
Thank you so much Justin! I’ve been struggling with this F(ing) chord for months and the “curve“ trick I think will hopefully fix it!! Also, I think I love you.
Whoa! This lesson taught me exactly what I needed to know for playing the F chord. Especially the parts that taught positions of the arm and wrist. Many thanks to you and please keep teaching.
Thanks. If my guitar teacher was honest with me decades ago and didn't just let dangle on the F chord I would have kept it up. I'll work the next few months to get f right.
I've just bought a Yamaha NTX1 nylon strung 'crossover' guitar. Soooo much easier on the left hand, I can practice for a lot longer than on my steel-strung acoustic.
Thank you for stating that it's difficult and the time frame it takes to get it😊..it flipping hurts. That thumb thing was great!! Total bragging rights when we actually can do this.
Hi Justin. Thank you so much. You Rock 🎸. Thanks to you I finally played a recognizable F Chord. You are not only a gifted guitarist but gifted teacher as well.
Hi Justin, Giving it some time. I have left hand nerve damage and barres give me a hard time because of it. Still trying conquer it. Really love the majority of all the chords!
I can play f chord however I am watching this coz it’s fun 😂😂... F chords like key to treasure.. the moment you get good with it. You start to do wonders with guitar...
Thank you! I love the details you put in. I’m not really ready to play with bar chords but thought it would help to start training my hand ahead of time. You gave me the answers I needed to start.
You're the best Justin! I'm still struggling to perfect my F chord (I know this is going to take a while) but it came a lot easier to me than C chord - that will continue to be the hardest chord shape for me, my hands just don't want to stretch that way, haha. Your finger stretching exercises and practice videos have helped me so much though, especially with C, but also with all the chords you've taught me! Thank you so much for all you do.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
A gifted teacher. So few teachers bother to make a student comfortable with struggling at the beginning, providing the encouragement to keep going. This man knows the secret.
Well said! Cheers 😊
| Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher
This can't be said enough! I just started my journey and my teacher is so encouraging. I'm my worst critic, so it is really nice to have that validation. I came here because, I too, am having a tough time with F. But, I am getting it around 4 times out of 10, so I am on the right track.
I feel the same. Starting by saying it could take months really made me feel better. Lol.
F chord got me stop playing guitar 10 years ago. Now I'm learning this again at 24. :) many luck to me!
You got this! Best, J.
have you got it down yet? hope it's going well for you!
If you can already play a 3-finger F power chord in your sleep you can think of it as the same shape but with an extra note ..that little mental trick really helped me unlock this chord
It's not called F chord for nothing. It brings 'Fail' and 'Fucked up' to the mind quickly.😜 But it can be beaten. I did.
same reason
Don't give up. I have torn and missing ligaments in 2 joints of my left thumb. I was playing acoustic. It took me 6 months of daily F chord practise before I could get all the strings to ring out. It was another 12 months before I could play it quickly enough to play it in a slow-ish song. Now a few years on and I play that E shaped chords all over the neck of my acoustic or electric. If I can do it then I'm sure most of you can do it. One thing I did that helped a little was to switch to lighter strings. Most acoustics come standard with 12/56 gauge strings, I switched to 10/46. Justin has given some really good tips here and it was good to see that he related that you really have to find what works for you. This is the best video I have seen on F chord .... and I've seen a lot. Keep practising :)
@@yourneighborhoodfriendlyme4242 I hoped my post would help people. Thanks for letting me know. When you get this F chord down the struggle will give you the confidence to tackle anything on guitar. Good journey to you :)
Thank you for that encouragement. It is sorely needed! I have been trying just to get the bar to ring out on all the strings never mind all the other fingers and can now do it occasionally after practicing for a month. I was starting to think I would never ever be able to play the F chord in a song, But your post has given me hope. Thank you!
@@lindsayheywood7195 I'm so happy for you. Sounds like your on the way.
You injured your hand while playing?
@@ricardotijerina886 no BJJ
I’ve been playing guitar for the last 10 years and I would like to say that - For all the newbie guitarists out there, F chord can seem like a nightmare, but like the amazing Justin says here - don’t let this difficulty fool you into believing that you’re not gonna get through it.
Dear Justin you have amazing patience, which is required of a music teacher. . Your students are lucky to have a dedicated teacher who doesn’t mind spending time to make a tailormade-16 minute video on just the F major chord!
Keep rocking as always!
Been playing for 7 years. Within 3 minutes in your video I learned that the bar finger doesn't need to slam down on ALL the strings. I never knew that. #alwayslearning. Can't wait to try that. Thank you.
Every day is a school day - for me too ;)
Its a good tip, just check occasionally that your Fm and F7 still ring out on the other strings or that you can make them do so if needed.
Mind blown! Thank you! 😃
Been struggling with it for 2 years on an acoustic which is way harder, I never knew that too, was wondering why it always sounded bad ! Thanks justin
@@justinguitar I think you would be a fantastic teacher no matter what the subject happens to be!
This guy is literally the best teacher I’ve ever had. Encouraging, tells you where the struggles will be and how to get through them while making those hurdles as low as possible. I can’t believe this is free
I couldn't play a single barre chord. It seemed impossible.
But now 6 months later I can play all 4 main barre chords individually (shifting between them is a challenge ). So if any one is struggling with barre chords it will definitely happen just give it time !
There is honestly no secret or hidden technique to master. Just a lot of practice and a lot of experimentation (see what works for your fingers cause we have differently sized hands - Justin is absolutely right !) .
Listen to Justin! I was a “beginner” for way too long before I subscribed a couple years ago.
Thanks!
I absolutely love how you always highlight that it's important to be kind and patient with yourself when learning how to play the guitar. When you are saying that it might take months or weeks to get some chord or technique right it actually encourages me to practice and I don't feel down about not getting something right straight away :)
Learning guitar is / can be a lifetime pursuit. It is no race that's for sure. :)
| close 2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide [ www.justinguitar.com/ ] & Moderator on JustinGuitar Forum [ justinguitarcommunity.com/index.php ]
Good for you
Thanks!
Thank you very much - helping keep lessons free for all. Cheers 😊
| close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Moderator on JustinGuitar Forum
[ www.justinguitar.com/ ]
Thanks
Welcome! Appreciate ur support. Cheers, J.
I teach guitar to a mate and for the time inbetween I advise him to watch Justin's lessons. He is brilliant at helping newbies with problems. He is one of the best on here I would say.
This chord is so hard for beginners, but I will practice and stick to your tips. You are such a great teacher - thank you!
more than a teacher. I'm so used to your voice and your encouragement. you're more than a friend. thanks Justin!
I struggled for weeks doing the bar chord, with so much pain in my wrist and arm. Than I found the way Mark Knopfler does it (with thumb on 6th string). That was the real game changer for me.
But isn't that gonna cause troubles later on down the road? I mean if it works it works but I dont know I'd rather learn it the intended way
Jimi Hendrix does this too.
@@tunod- it can if you strain too much while you’re doing it, but if you practice it mindfully you can play it very comfortably. It also opens up the use of your fingers a little more which means there’s a lot more possibilities for what notes you can play within the scale when you’re using a barre chord. There’s still times for me when the more traditional barre chord works better in a chord progression so it’s not necessarily a perfect substitute, but it’s perfect for things like finger style and classic rock. As long as you listen to your body and make sure your hand feels comfortable while you’re learning it then it’s one more technique in your tool belt that can help you make the music you want to make
Is there a video on the Mark Knopfler way ??
Been killing my wrist trying to play this for weeks. Five minutes in and i can play it even at the sixth fret. Thank you!
Pure gold! You, sir, are far and away the best guitar instructor on the internet. Thank you for ALL the videos!
NO WAY! I've been playing as a novice for 20 years, always struggling with the F chord. I thought my pointer had to be flat. I can't do it. You changed my life. Chuck Norris calls you for advice. I regret I only have but one upvote to give to this video.
What i learned from your oh so positive videos is practicing. Because something magical happens from one practice session to the next. Somehow my subconscious sorts things out for me. So, what might’ve even difficult the day before seems to be a major improvement the following day. My F Chord still stinks though.
Eureka!!!!! I just played a perfect-sounding full F 3 times in a row.........I placed my E-chord fingers down then moved my first finger up 1/4-1/2 inch, poking over the top of the low E. After checking I discovered that the top edge part of my finger is only fleshy, the bone actually starts further down. I'm SOOOOO pleased I watched this lesson!
jesus dude youre a gift of a teacher like. what an honor to have found such a great teacher with such great techniques and tips and understanding of individuality in learning!!
Hi Justin, just want to say I rarely ever comment on any youtube videos, but after slowly making my way through the lessons on your app (and always dreading getting to the F chord everyone warned me about) this video got me to playing a clean F in only a day! Can’t wait to get it ingrained in muscle memory and incorporated into my skillset. Love your work mate.
Hot damn. Give this guy a medal!
I find it helpful to watch this video every few months to keep me on track. You will often notice with any video that each time you watch something new seems to present itself! Such a helpful guy!
F chord was about to make me cry and this video validated all my feels and made it SO MUCH EASIER OMG
Listen to Justin. I have VERY short fingers but I can play barre chords. Everything he said is true. Patience and perfect practice will win the day!
I just turned 65 and I am left handed. I been trying to learn left handed guitar like forever; especially the F chord .Usually I get frustrated and just start playing free style which I have no idea what i am playing. I go by the theory that if it doesn't hurt my ears I must be playing something right.I want to get to the point where i can jam with others but always feel intimidated by my lack of skills. You just showed me the trick to getting around the F chord and I thank you. I need to watch your videos for left handed guitarist but right now it is after 2 a.m.
8:05 - 8:30 Thanks for describing the exact process I'm going through; looking at the video and the comments, it takes time. I'm aiming to dedicate 10 minutes a day on the f-chord and see how it goes in a year from now. It's called 'F' for a reason ... but this video gives hope.
just got my first Guitar today. I have played Ukulele for about 10 years, and I cant tell you how much its helped! I didnt think there would be a lot of knowledge carry over, but my chord shapes, bar chords, hand strength, and finger callouses did carry over; which is nice. My favorite song to play uses F, so Im practicing like a madman!
I’ve been playing for a while but have stayed away from bar chords and a complete F chord. I finally decided to keep watching lessons to grow in my skills and I was able to get it to ring out fairly quickly and correctly I think because my fingers have strength and practice from waiting to get to this point. I’m extremely encouraged that I was able to get it a few times and I’m gonna keep at it! Thank you Justin for all you do for beginner guitarists 🙏 I love all of your tutorials
You are the first person who could actually explain how to do any barre chord, let alone the F one. Thanks a lot!
Man, this is really helpful. Thanks for all the lessons. When I first started learning guitar, I honestly thought it would be impossible for me. But I found your site a couple years ago and have come a long way since then. Still not a virtuoso or anything. But I'm getting better all the time and actually playing songs. Thanks man.
Awesome - thanks for your message. Wish you luck and keeping have fun with it. Cheers.
Years later, this is the best F chord less I’ve ever seen on or offline. Thank you!
Thank you Justin. I've played the F bar chord for decades but was never comfortable using it. I understand that the reason it is so hard at the first fret is because it is so close to the nut.
These tips are really helpful. Craig Ewinger
I have recently been struggling with the F Chord. I have been playing for 5 months since the pandemic started. I was getting down and frustrated because I could not get sound from to the two thin strings. This video gave me encouragement that it is going to take some time and practice. Thank you Justin.
Most F chord videos are about the same, but Justin's had that extra 10% of insight to help getting it right.....Thanks man! 🤘
I think I just pulled of learning the F barre chord in 5 minutes, because of your tips in this video. After learning the F mini chord last couple of days, which had my struggling a bit more, but I got it after watching your other video. Very happy and excited! Thanks a whole lot for the excellent advice and tips!
Excellent video, Justin! At first, it seemed impossible to form the F chord, as my ring and little fingers were so weak and forearm would get pretty sore. I’m sure this is where many learners give up. I keep coming back to review this video because it is really detailed and helpful, especially your suggestions of rolling the index finger some, where to put the thumb, and using to forearm. Great suggestions! I’m making some progress now. Thx for this video!
You are absolutely my favorite guitar teacher. You're not only extremely knowledgeable but also caring and you help remind me that it's okay to fail. Cheers Justin
As a beginner/intermediate player w rather odd shaped hands ( my hands are large palms w short fingers) I very much appreciate your teaching style... we are indeed all different and we have to find what works for US.... I get a bit frustrated w huge long fingered teachers saying “just practice , you’ll get there” . I have to do things that long fingered players don’t.. for instance my thumb absolutely cannot do any thumb over stuff.. in fact my thumb is dancing all over the back of the neck when I play, sometimes riding on the very bottom edge of the neck just to reach certain things.. so I very much appreciate you you speaking to us all when you teach.. one of the best teachers out there! Thank you!
Thank you for these tips. I nearly returned my guitar after I bought it when I couldn't make myself play a barre chord. I have smaller hands and was really struggling. A musician friend told me to keep at it, that I would eventually get it, and while I've improved, I felt like this lesson was SUCH a revelation. I'd never thought of the F chord as a modified E chord before, and it was like a light bulb went on - same with the Bm. Within minutes I was actually playing it - not well of course, but at least it is recognizable and sounded like something!
i want to express my gratitude... you are a gentleman.. and i for one appreciate your extrodinary efforts
I have been playing guitar consistently for 6 years, haven’t been able to get down the F chord until 4 minuets into your video, Thanks!!
If only someone had laid it out like this when I was learning! Would have saved me a decade of frustration. Justin, you are such an amazing teacher! Thank you so much.
Justin.. you are a patient teacher who covers all angles..
Thanks for your videos
I’m trying this, I don’t know how much it’s gonna work, but appreciate your effort trying every possible ways. Hats off
Huge respect from India 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 have been following your lessons for about 1 year...you are a GURU for most of us...can't thank you enough 😇😇
You’re a great teacher Justin
Was avoiding songs that has the F chord but this is precious information
Will try it
What's funny is I was working on the chord while you talked and almost immediately my whole arm got tired. Well, the bicep and forearm got really tight and I thought I was REALLY doing it wrong and then real time you said to use the whole arm! I don't feel so bad about my instincts anymore! Lol
Wow, I wish I had seen this 45+ years ago. I remember struggling with it. BEST advice for the WORST chord.
Thank you so much Justin. I thought this was impossible to do when I first saw the F chord structure. Love you man!
By far the best guitar teacher on the internet! The amount of depth and intricacy you have with your tutorials is amazing. Thanks Justin!
Was worried starting this because I heard how notorious this chord is, but luckily more or less got it after a couple attempts. Only because of how great of a teacher Justin is :)
I came back just to say I can finally play it even without turning my finger, it was all about that hack of pulling the guitar with the arm. Thanks ❤
Hi Justin. I'm very excited. After working on it for a couple of weeks now, I finally got the F chord to ring out on my acoustic guitar. The B string still sounds a bit muddled, but further practice will fix that. Thanks so much for the lessons, and even more more the encouragement!!!!
Love to hear it. The F chord is a tricky one - glad you're seeing progress! :)
Wow, right as you showed the trick of keeping the thumb in line with the middle finger on the fretboard, the chord rang out clearly for me! Really shows how everyone is different and has to learn what works for their body.
This was on an acoustic from the 1970's as well, and I don't have massive fingers, so it's a pain in the side. Thanks for the tips!
Still learning the f chord but the overhead camera bit helped so much!! Man I'm glad your channel exists
So for anyone struggling with this I found a mental hack that blew my mind and unlocked everything for me - just imagine you're playing a power chord rooted on the low E string and add an extra note. I play alot of rock so power chords come naturally and I found this little Jedi mind trick allowed me to now get in and out pretty fast by leveraging that existing, built-in muscle memory by forming that mental connection
Oh man. I was instantly able to play the F chord after you talked about the finger poking out slightly. I had always struggled to generate enough force to get the 2nd string to ring out, even when my other fingers arent doing anything. Just putting a different part of my bony fingers on that string made a world of difference.
I've found for some bizarre reason, I seem to be able to change to f a lot better when I'm not looking , discovered this when I was just sitting watching TV practicing 7 chords for the blues module , done some f changes , a mini miracle ! 🙂 maybe worth trying .
Great lesson Justin. The rolling of the forefinger and having the tip equal with 6th string has given me my eureka moment!
Same thing for me.
With subtittles in english and at 0.75 for speed in order to not forget anything.
Merci Justin
F*** F. I have been struggling with it for 31-32 years now. Ugh. Ok. Finally something possibly helpful. Seems so common sense now. I wonder why i was taught to try to force my fingers to play it the “correct” way. In 3 decades of struggling, I still am having a very hard time getting the B and E string to ring out clearly, and i am not even trying to play the bass E and A string. I see now if I move my finger forward a little bit I can get a little more clarity in the notes plus it feels more comfortable like I’m not trying to be a contortionist. I really really appreciate this. Thank you so much. I’m classically trained, and my teachers never introduced me to the concept that there might be a better way for me as a woman with unique anatomy to play some chords. There was only right and wrong, which has left me discouraged so many times. And nobody ever said that F was hard for everyone either. Also, even though my thumb was in the right spot, The way that you’re kind of twisting/rotating seems to make a huge difference although I just trying it right now for the first time. Also, pulling with my arm seems to be helping. I have been squeezing/pinching and I do get so much pain, in hand and wrist. I actually stopped playing the guitar for over five years because I was having so much pain, though a lot of that was from a car accident. I am trying to pick it up again and have subscribed to your channel. There are a lot of things that my body just doesn’t do, but I am now hopeful that I can find my way around these obstacles. 😊
Awesome explanation! You broke it down a lot further than anyone I have heard.
Currently kicking my ass 1 week in. Justin is the best online guitar teacher though and has giving so many tips in this video, I will get this!
That tip with the where to place the thumb was wonderful because I have little hands. Thanks so much. 🎉
Really amazing video -- many instructors do not focus on the physicality (and physics) of these tougher motions. Extremely grateful for your insights, high-quality instruction, and love.
thank you so much for being so kind and reassuring!! you're such a gifted teacher and learning from you is so encouraging, thank you for always encouraging us to be patient and persistent with ourselves, i really don't know if i'd be able to teach myself guitar without such a wonderful teacher! :) i'm a girl with small hands so this felt ESPECIALLY challenging, but with your kindness i knew i could get through anything. thank you so much!! :)
Just got a guitar, picked up a chord sheet and looked at the F and thought “oh ok, how do you play that”. On to youtube and see this video. Put my fingers in position, strummed.. perfect 👌. HOWEVER, the B chord!! Now thats a different ball game.
Justin, I learn something new from you everyday. My guitar playing has improved so much in a short time. Thank you so much.
That is the best lesson on F I've ever seen - thank you!
Just starting out. This video, and all of its tips, are so helpful! Thank you so much!
Thank you for putting this video, give me idea of how to get this F chord. It call F for a reason 😂 and now i really want to get a new guitar, (i have an acoustic)
Finally someone explains which finger to fret first
Hello Justin!
Mega-mega thanks for the advice at 11:50 i.e. combination of elbow pulling back and some squeeze with index and thumb to grip the chord.
After practicing for 3 months I started feeling pain in the fleshy part of thumb at its base. Currently, I am giving it a rest for a month so that the pain gets eliminated faster.
Can't wait to get back onto it again with more understanding.!! Mega-mega thanks again..!!
30k views? Should have at least a million views for such an amazing lesson
Learning and transitioning between barre chords is a huge milestone in playing
I would make a suggestion for learners. As Justin pointed out, this is a movable shape. Start with the A chord which is the 5th fret for the barre. It takes less pressure than the 1st fret. Once you can do the A, then move up one fret, then another, etc. It'll be less frustrating this way.
Everything you’ve taught is so detailed and helpful. The one issue I’m still experiencing is with the B string. It is pretty much always muted still. I’m sure I just need a lot of practice, but I figured it’s worth mentioning since all the other tips led to super quick improvements. Thanks for a great video and any comments are much appreciated!
Make sure your other fingers aren't muting the B (most likely finger #2). You could try picking that string and lifting each finger one at a time to see if the note starts ringing out. If so, you'll need to arch your fingers more. (Palm parallel to the neck, push your hand a little further out so the fingers get more clearance.)
Might also try sliding your finger a little further across the neck, or pulling it a little back down. I found that my finger's not flat, so the near the knuckle frets more strongly than in the middle. Rolling the 1st finger more toward pressing with the side also helps get a flatter and harder surface. Sometimes just a little tweak can make a big difference, so try experimenting with little changes while keeping that overall shape. There's a combination that will nail that B string, but the exact positioning is a little different for everyone.
Drew Davis Thanks! That’s great-so much detail. I was wondering about the 2nd finger muting the string. I think it’s more about the right mixture of pressure and angles of the hand and finger etc. Thanks again for the detailed response!
@@maiorana6 Drews's answer was really good but if its not that it might be that the B string is sitting in the joint crease of you barr finger. You might be able to fix it by moving your barr finger up or down a bit. If that does not solve it then you could try angling it a bit. After playing it a lot you might get callouses or thicker skin on the side of the finger that makes the crease less of an issue.
Reginaldesq Hi, sorry for the late response. I think you may be into something. Drew’s response helped, but I notice how much harder it is when I try to barre without the 6th string. I’ll try different angles and positions, etc. Hopefully those callouses will build over time and things will come together. Thanks so much!!
GREAT lesson, Justin! I love how you teach us great technique AND great patience / self-forgiveness. You continue to help me improve.
Jeez this is hard
Edit: 12:30 this is amazing! After putting my thumb further back I was finally able to fret the F chord with my fingers fairly straight. Great attention to detail, thanks.
Thank you so much. You always touch on my trouble spots and give me confidence to keep playing.
Thank you so much, your video gave me the starting point, the tips and the confidence I needed to practice the F chord, when I was about to give up!
Thank you Justin. This is a great video. I started playing in high school and now I'm 28 and finally able to start playing this chord thanks to you. I need to stop doubting and keep practicing and building muscle. You're amazing. The detail in your work is just what is needed for someone like me.
Thank you so much Justin! I’ve been struggling with this F(ing) chord for months and the “curve“ trick I think will hopefully fix it!! Also, I think I love you.
I am a beginner and able to learn a lot from you sir.thanks
Justin thanks you saved me... now I have more confidence and I believe as u said it requires more practices
Thanks Justin. I like the thought process you used to get the F to sound good.
Whoa! This lesson taught me exactly what I needed to know for playing the F chord. Especially the parts that taught positions of the arm and wrist. Many thanks to you and please keep teaching.
Thanks. If my guitar teacher was honest with me decades ago and didn't just let dangle on the F chord I would have kept it up. I'll work the next few months to get f right.
I've just bought a Yamaha NTX1 nylon strung 'crossover' guitar. Soooo much easier on the left hand, I can practice for a lot longer than on my steel-strung acoustic.
Thank you for stating that it's difficult and the time frame it takes to get it😊..it flipping hurts.
That thumb thing was great!! Total bragging rights when we actually can do this.
Rotating the index finger is huge help thanks
Hi Justin. Thank you so much. You Rock 🎸. Thanks to you I finally played a recognizable F Chord. You are not only a gifted guitarist but gifted teacher as well.
Hi Justin, Giving it some time. I have left hand nerve damage and barres give me a hard time because of it. Still trying conquer it. Really love the majority of all the chords!
I can play f chord however I am watching this coz it’s fun 😂😂... F chords like key to treasure.. the moment you get good with it. You start to do wonders with guitar...
Right?! I'm an intermediate/advanced player watching because the title made me laugh and Justin's lessons are always great
Michael Bell haha yeah ... he is fun to watch...
Michael Bell Same here
Omg i got it now, through this video, thank u very much sir, all i can do is to practice more the F chords.
Fantastic tutorial, I will persevere with this chord. Thank you for this tutorial.
You can do it! Cheers
Thank you! I love the details you put in. I’m not really ready to play with bar chords but thought it would help to start training my hand ahead of time. You gave me the answers I needed to start.
Thank u for this I've been looking for easy video that explained it didnt fly thru the tutorial
Thank you, I struggle quite a bit with playing the F chord. ✌️😙
You're the best Justin! I'm still struggling to perfect my F chord (I know this is going to take a while) but it came a lot easier to me than C chord - that will continue to be the hardest chord shape for me, my hands just don't want to stretch that way, haha. Your finger stretching exercises and practice videos have helped me so much though, especially with C, but also with all the chords you've taught me! Thank you so much for all you do.