I heard a discussion about the cheating f in one of my other posts, but anyway I just need a easier way to play F. Can anyone tell me how to play F more easily or tell me the fingering for the cheating F?

------X---------            there's the cheating f for ya. hope it helps.
------X---------
------3---------
------2---------
------1---------
------1---------

So its...........   E-x      Right??                            Wat do the X's mean
                      B-x
                      G-3
                      D-2
                      A-1
                      E-1

actually it's  e---1         the X's mean don't strum those strings.
                  B---1
                  G---2
                  D---3
                  A---X
                  E---X

K, thanks.

If you are playing acoustic this way can add some variation into your songs/playing even if you can play F as a barre chord

---0---
---1---
---2---
---3---
---3---
---x---

k sweet. i'll try that.

ED    GO TO YOUR GUITAR CHORDS ON THE TOP OF THE PAGE,, THERE YOU CAN LOOK UP CHORDS. AND LOTS OF OTHER COOL STUFF. HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU OUT ,, OO AND DON,T GIVE UP IT WILL COME TO YOU  HAVE FUN..

You can do what those guys tell you to but I think you just need to train your thumb muscle.
I personaly think that you should just keep on training. when it hurts your doing it right.

That's sure true. Sadly, i minimally use the F chord because it's so annoying to switch to, not hard, just plain annoying to me. But I guess i have to use it at some point.

My instructor suggested i fill my song book up with songs that use the F chord...since i was no good at changing to it from just about any other chord...the songs did the trick since back then i practiced 6, sometimes 10 hours a day and night...now i don't even have to think about the F chord. Try coming at it from the open E chord by using your middle, ring and pinky for the open E. Simple slide and then drop the index finger and there you are.

Cheers,

GuitarZen

Another variation of the F formation that is easy to hold and can be fun to mess around with is:
                   E---O
                   B---O
                   G---2
                   D---3
                   A---3
                   E---1
This saves the fatigue commonly associated with holding a full bar.

While in the first fret it can be not an ideal sound, moving to the 3rd, 5th, etc can give you some nice sounds to use. I have used the 1st fret position, but typically as a destination rather than a starting point. And yes, you play all six strings (or in my case, all twelve).

You could always completly cheat and use a capo

Danto wrote:

If you are playing acoustic this way can add some variation into your songs/playing even if you can play F as a barre chord

---0--- <-- E = Major 7th or M7
---1--- <-- C = 5th
---2--- <-- A = 3rd
---3--- <-- F = Root
---3--- <-- C = 5th
---x---

...that's FMajor7th, because the open treble E string is the Major 7th note in the F-scale.

i have avoided the F chord and all barre chords until now.  there is no getting away from them.  i am super beginner once again.

My coach taught me the E shape (using fingers 2/3/4) moved to the second fret with my index finger on e & B.  Then my thumb comes over the top onto the E string.  I've seen Clapton use this many times for F, F# and G.  Dean

The thumb has been used by many.  Its not the way to do things.  I have seen it used by pros, who usually have the four fingers busy with other things, and an added bottom end note makes for a fatter/ fuller tone, or maybe a bass note needed for a classical passage where breakin up the current fingering would make it all but impossable to hit the disired note and return to that fingering without leaving a gap.  For the most part you wont see any pro guitarist use the thumb except for wild cat purposes.
Just my view, but hopefully somone can elaberate more on the thumb issue in a new topic......


Jim

I dont use my thumb it jsut feels awkward

i find i need my thumb on the back of the guitar to get enough pressure to fret the notes.

i am joking of course i realize you mean gripping the thumb  over the neck to fret the low E string
I agree that it is not the way to do things. probably a bad habit to get into. last thing i need is another bad habit.
speaking of habits heres my latest shopping habit
http://s1007.photobucket.com/albums/af2 … CF1962.jpg