BEGINNER ACOUSTIC GUITAR LESSON 18

How to Play the F Chord On Guitar

In this video, watch as Marty Schwartz takes you through forming the F chord, keeping it clean and tidy, and switching between F and C chords.

CHORDS USED IN THIS LESSON

The F major chord is a big step forward on your guitar journey. Once you learn F major, you'll have most of the chords used in the songs you love—and your first barre chord. Barre chords are extra handy since you can keep the same form and slide them up the neck to play different chords.

Playing the F Major Chord

Playing F major can be a challenge if you haven’t tried barre chords yet. While tough at first, with a little practice, your fingers will stretch and it’ll become second nature. 

Luckily for anyone who may not feel quite ready for barre chords, there is another way to play F major in the first position (the way Marty explains in the video).

How to Play the F Major Chord on the First Fret (Non-Barre)

The easier way to play an F major chord in the first position requires you to place your index finger on the 1^st fret of the B string. Next, place your middle finger on 2^nd fret of the G string. Lastly, place your ring finger on the 3^rd fret of the A string and your pinky on the third fret of the D string. Strum only the four strings you’re fretting and voila! An F major.

How to Play the F Major Barre Chord on the First Fret

The full F major chord in the first position requires you to barre the first fret, meaning use your entire index finger to press down all six strings. Once you have that part down, add the middle finger on the second fret of the G string. Lastly, place your ring finger on the 3^rd fret of the A string and your pinky on the 3^rd fret of the D string. Strum all six strings to get that full major sound.

What Notes Make up the F Major Chord

F major chord is made of three notes—F, A, C. Like any major chord, the three notes in F major are the 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th of the major scale.

Which Keys Have the F Major Chord in Them?

The F major chord is commonly used in the key of F (where it’s the root note), the key of C, where it’s the IV chord, and the key of Bb where it’s the V. 

Popular Songs that Use the F Major Chord

The F major chord can be found in many songs you know and love. Here are just a few:

Marvin Gaye – How Sweet It Is

Elton John – Tiny Dancer

Foo Fighters – Big Me

Taylor Swift – The One 

The Temptations – My Girl 

Extra Tips to Make Learning the F Chord Easier

Tip #1 – Try lighter strings.
Barre chords like F major can feel tough when you’re first starting out, especially if your strings are heavy or worn. Lighter-gauge or coated strings like XS Phosphor Bronze can make pressing down all six strings much easier. Once you’ve practiced with those, you’ll be able to play F major or any other barre chord with ease, no matter what instrument or strings you’re using.

Tip #2 – Use a capo for extra help.
Struggling with the F chord? Try using a capo on the 1st or 2nd fret to make fretting easier while your hand builds strength. Check out our capo options here.

Tip #3 – Choose the right pick.
A medium pick (around .70–.88mm) can help control your strumming as you practice transitions between open chords and F major. Try the D’Addario Celluloid Picks or build your own custom guitar picks here.

Tip #4 – Stay in perfect tune.
The F major chord will sound harsh if even one string is slightly off. A clip-on tuner like the rechargeable Nexxus 360 keeps your guitar sounding clean and ready to play.

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