The F chord

F is the chord that makes many beginners want to give up, so let us be honest about it: it is harder than the chords so far, because one finger has to press two strings at once. It takes most people a few weeks to get it ringing cleanly.

The good news is that there is a smaller version to start with. Learn that first and the full chord will come later.

• Finger 1 lies flat across the B and high E strings at the first fret. That is a small barre.
• Finger 2 on the G string, second fret.
• Finger 3 on the D string, third fret.
• Strum only the top four strings, as with D.

Roll finger 1 slightly onto its bony outer edge, the side nearer your thumb. It is harder than the soft middle of the finger and presses both strings more evenly.

Pick the B and high E strings one at a time.

• If one is dull, move finger 1 closer to the fret.
• If it still will not ring, pull slightly back with your arm rather than squeezing harder with your thumb. The weight of the arm does most of the work in a barre, which saves your hand from tiring.
• Check that the crease of a finger joint is not sitting on a string. Slide the finger up or down a millimetre until the string lands on solid finger.

When the small F is comfortable, try the full version. Finger 1 now lies across all six strings at the first fret.

• Finger 1 across all six strings, first fret.
• Finger 2 on the G string, second fret.
• Finger 3 on the A string, third fret.
• Finger 4 on the D string, third fret.

Look closely: this is the E major shape, played with fingers 2, 3 and 4 and moved up one fret, with finger 1 acting as a new nut. Keep that in mind. It is the idea behind every barre chord, and you will use it again in the B lesson.

Give the full F a minute or two a day, and use the small F in songs until the full one rings. One day it will simply work. Almost every guitarist remembers the week it happened.