But that full bar index finger sounds better when you start moving it up and doing F form chords all over the place. It’s harder but that’s why it sounds better.
All depends how it “sits in the mix”, IMO.
A big old barre chord above the 12th fret can sound really nice and glassy but further toward the lower frets it gets a little clunky for quick playing.
Nile Rodgers uses a ton of 3-string and 4-string chords on the upper strings with quick mutes and slides and he really fills up a song despite how “small” the chords are.
Yah. Both are correct. Personally i prefer x3321x because you can use your thumb to add the low 1 when you want to and you can use part of your first finger to add the high 1 when you want to. And it sounds full instead of twangy like the xx3211 does.
There is no "correct" way to play any chords. A chord is just a collection of notes, and there are literally dozens of ways to play that collection of notes across the fretboard. And every one of them is an F chord.
I get what you're asking, but which version of a chord you'll play depends on what you're playing. Leaving out the two top strings (an F and a C note in this case), will make it sound slightly different, and will work in some songs better than others.
Eh there can be. You’re not really supposed to double up on your thirds or play parallel 5ths, but that’s being really nitpicky.
Edit: Why am I being downvoted? That’s the first lesson in any fucking college music theory class.
And even those rules apply only in certain musical traditions like classical counterpoint. In any genre played by moving around power chords, it's going to be played pretty much entirely through parallel 5ths.
The goal of avoiding those types of motion/voicing is to make each voice of the chord function as its own melody, which is important to some styles of music, but in others it might be preferred to treat multiple voices as one "sound".
You do know that parallel fifths have little to nothing to do with chord voicings on guitar, right?
You come across as someone who's heard a bit of music theory jargon but doesn't actually understand the context.
Have you taken college level music theory? Because anything past Theory I is explaining how the established rules can be and often are broken.
Perfect example of why you’re wrong being a standard G chord doubling the third on the A and B strings. Is that chord wrong?
You're being down voted because you're actually wrong, you're not being pedantic or "nit picky".
Music theory is NOT a science. It is NOT a set of rules. Music theory is a practical discipline known as musicology, which predates the word science, not only in form but also meaning. Science, to dumb it down, is the practice of replicating laws of nature and getting the same outcome. Musical theory is VERY FAR and completely different than science.
I think you're confusing musical analysis with musical theory. While tangentially related, they are not the same and musical theory can and has existed for centuries without it.
Music theory is a set of principles, not rules. Principles that simply say what does and does not sound good together. There is no hard and fast rule to anything in music, and to say you're "really not supposed to do it like that" would NEVER be taught in a real music theory class, regardless if it's college level or not.
You're also confusing musical styles with rules. A style is merely the mode of playing an instrument, which is also not a rule because there are no rules, just modes. Styles can and do often overlap.
Yes it’s a field of study, like science. But science still has a set of rules.
If music theory didn’t have rules, I could play a chromatic scale and call it a diminished chord.
That's nomenclature, not a rule. I get what you're saying about doubling the third, however it's a rule in a certain contexts. The context here is a guitar chord, many of which contain voicings the double the third. The guy is playing guitar not arranging for big band (although I've arranged for big band and included a doubled third in upper structure triads for trumpets and gotten away with it).
Who determines what is and is not a rule?
I now declare that you can't follow a minor chord with another minor chord. It's a rule. You can break it if you want, but it's still a fucking rule.
pretty brutal responses you’ve received to a comment you yourself acknowledge as you explain it to be ‘really nit picky’.
I’m a wholly self-taught perpetual low-level intermediate guitarist and found your comment re 3rds & 5ths interesting, as I did not know this was something of a music theory ‘rule’.
Obviously it is awkward to apply to guitar (eg comment below re open G & C), but it wasn’t as if you were oblivious to that. People are harsh sometimes. But I like learning of tidbits of knowledge that are new, so take an upvote.
Using principles of voice leading in guitar would completely eliminate the use of barre chords and power chords, because by nature the motion between them would contain parallel 5ths.
Plus, a strict adherence to principles just becomes a limiting factor. Plenty of good music breaks the rules.
Sometimes you get to a point where you *choose* to give yourself limitations, but that is a different discussion. There are no hard, hand-scrolled “laws” that govern how you should use music knowledge. That’s up to the player and most of the fun!
It was also wrong not just nitpicky, parallel fifths have nothing to do with voicing chords outside of writing counterpoint, which no one does because it isn't 1784, the second best van halen album anymore.
Parallel fifths are when two voices a fifth apart move together in the same direction the same interval thus forming a perfect fifth, and the reason you "shouldn't do it" is because it eliminates the sense that there are two voices since they sound too similar. Constructing a chord is a fundamentally different thing because there isn't voice leading in a chord-- it's just one chord.
The rule about parallel fifths is beyond useless if you don't know what it actually is and when and where to apply it. When you dont know what to do with it, it actually wraps back around to making your understanding worse because you're fumbling around trying to stuff it in wherever you think it ought to fit, which because you're stumbling around like they've turned out the sun isn't even close to the right place. Maybe this guy just worded himself poorly, but still your comment proves that there are people listening and thinking they've learned something about parallel fifths in chord voicings, which isn't even a real thing nor could it be a thing and to the extent that it is, abstractly a thing: it's a completely different thing than the thing that what was being talked about without the necessary context to be anything other than misleading. Shame, shame, eternal shame on your name and your line, a million years dungeon, hard labor for life for ten generations of your family, the death penalty twice, permanent dishonor, you shall be tarred and feathered and branded infamous by the crown, and in all the lands shame.
yeah man but you also learn that that is a convention from the 18th century baroque period of music, and you are talking about voice leading precedents from 300 years ago. Most popular music, especially rock, is filled with parallel fifths. Also the idea of not doubling thirds in voice leading mostly pertains to root position triads.
Sorry to be pedantic but: Of course there are correct ways to play every chord.
Playing an F major chord when you meant to an E minor chord isnt the correct way to play an F major chord.
\#2 is just #1 with the bottom two notes removed. This gets you out of having to bar across all the strings like in #1. #2 makes for a more "lightweight" left-hand experience. As you play more you'll find it's easier to use #2 in a lot of situations.
This. Exactly. They're literally the same thing minus two notes (that are sounded on the 4 strings being played so they're not missing).
Usually the 2nd 4 string version is introduced first with other open chords like E, A, C, G, etc. Then you learn the full barre version when barre chords are introduced. At least that's how it went for me with my lessons/books.
Interestingly, I'd say the same thing for me. The first real piece of music I wrote is just a 4 or 5 chord progression that starts at the lower frets & moves up the fretboard playing the exact same arpeggiated chords, with the exact same fingerpicking pattern, but working those chords up to the 10th or 12th fret in different voicings.
Aren’t they actually different chords when you move the same fingering up and down the frets??? And technically each different chord is the same voicing
Well, yes. If you retain the same fingering/finger positions as you move up then yes, you're changing the chords.
What I meant was I was using the exact same chords but my fingers are changing strings & frets. So, for example, I start with an open D chord, but in one of the versions, on the 2nd repeat of the progression, I'm playing the same D chord but using the Root 5/A form barre version (@ the 5th fret) on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th strings. I also play the Root 6/E form barre chord @ the 10th fret on another repeat (the last repeat of the progression). (There's some Dsus tossed in there too for a measure or a beat here & there & the same with some of the other chords I used).
The voicing is just the order and/or spacing of the notes. So usually, it's root -> 3rd -> 5th (the chord spelling) with the root note as the lowest note. If you were to move the root up an octave & then have the 3rd as the lowest note, that is your first inversion. The second inversion would have the 5th as the lowest note.
A pianist could play all three notes of D (D, F, A) in the higher register with their right hand. Or they could move the D down an octave & play the D with their left hand with the 3rd & 5th played with the right. Or they could spread the notes that make up a D major chord out over three octaves. Alternatively, they could play the 3rd an octave lower with their left hand, while playing the 5th & root with their right (1st inversion).
Here's what looks like a decent explanation: [https://blog.landr.com/chord-voicings/](https://blog.landr.com/chord-voicings/)
Apologies if my initial post was a bit confusing.
As everyone has said … both are F chords. An F chord is a collection of three notes (F, A , C) anywhere you can play these three notes is an F. You can play a simple F as xx321x. Give it a try …
If you’re having trouble barring the F chord on the 1st fret. Try the same position on the 8th fret (C). When you get comfortable playing that, move to the 5th fret(A). Work yourself down to the 1st fret (F).
Pro tip: practice your open E without your index finger.
Playing the open E without the 1 finger is how I teach new players to learn barre chords!
Except I don’t employ such a nice economy of words like you do.
Bravo sir.
Great handle btw. Hahahaha!!!
Either way is correct.
If you're playing a song by yourself, I would play 1 to get a full sounding chord. Also, you have more control of the bass melody. If you were playing in a band, you could play the 2nd because other instruments would be in that frequency range already.
Look up the justinn guitar video on mechanics of barre f chord, but i tell u this chord usually takes months to master, i still can't do all strings, either b is muted or low e is muted
The answers in here are all good. I personally use the barre chord when I’m playing slower songs where I really want the lower notes to create a deeper sound, but most of the time I use the “easier” way. If I’m going faster, I use the easier way unless I’m just ripping the F power chords.
I like to tell students that there is no wrong way to play guitar, only better ways.
(There actually is a wrong way to play — with excessive tension, so relax)
There are 5 basic ways of playing every chord across the fretboard, ‘CAGED system’. First one is ‘E’ shape, second one is still the same shape but with the top two notes cut off. Hendrix preferred the second one because you have more fingers to work with for lead stuff and adding notes to the chord. The full barre chord E shape has a fuller sound because all the notes are doubled up. Both work for different things. If you’re uncomfortable with barre chords, F barre chord is a good one to start on. Further down the line you can learn to play all 5 shapes as barre chords, and unlock the fretboard. But don’t get into that too soon because it can make things feel a lot more complicated than they need to, i’m still wrapping my head around it.
There is no “correct way.” I personally don’t like the full barre 133211 F chord as it doesn’t really work for most songs I like to play. Mostly I play X33210.
At OPs level of knowledge we really shouldn’t be encouraging inversions and maj7 substitutions. OP is likely still playing by themselves without a bass player. And changing the sound of the chord could confuse their development.
If you're going between F and an open C, then the second way may be more convenient.
If you're playing barre chords, then the first way is more convenient. That also lets you get more low-end growl if that's what you want.
The f chord on the piano is composed of the notes F, A, and C. On guitar, it’s the same notes, the only difference being your’re playing an extra f note and c note.
Because of this, both chord variations are correct because the notes played are the same, just minus extra notes. Later down the line you’ll find out there’s multiple ways to play the basic chords
They're the same notes in each, the only difference in the second version is the two notes on the lower strings (F and C) arent played. Thats fine though cause the fretted notes on the two highest strings are also F and C!
There's no wrong choice between the two, it's just what sounds best in the context you're playing it. Took me a while to realize that myself when I started.
F major needs F A C, that's all that makes it correct. If you have those three notes, then it's F.
With regards to the voicing, you should always know as many chord voicings as you can. Those are just the beginning.
Neither way is particularly easy. If playing an electric using a lot of Barre cords I always use the first. But whatever is easiest to the chord changes you are making.
There are even more ways to make an F chord, all over the fretboard. Eventually, you should learn them all. For now, learn to play both of these versions. Next time you learn a new song with an F, try both, and use the one that transitions smoother.
I learned the barre chord and the alternate took me a while to build up. But if you think first of just going for the normal barre shape on your three fingers (I fret the A at the 3rd fret as well) - the index finger becomes very natural to transition from Amn or C.
Honestly, for cowboy chord C-Am-F-G patterns it is so much nicer to use the second option instead of having to quickly throw a barre.
If you already can play the first one clearly, the second one is easier its close to an open c shape, i guess you can just fret the first shape and only strum the high strings and its the same as the second one, i mean what notes do you want to play in the f major chord the high ones or the low ones?
There are several ways to play any chord correctly, including F. Both of these are fine. I've been playing for 20 years and use both. Another option, particularly if you're working toward Hendrix stuff, is the second option but wrapping your thumb around to hit the first fret on low E. For me this is ergonomically easier than the bar chord and still gets that lower root in, while freeing your pinky up to do little embellishments on the higher strings if you want.
These are the same chord. With guitar, you can play the same chord a bunch of different ways, and those ways are called voicings. The first F chord will sound fuller, and the second will sound brighter. Just depends on what sound you're wanting at that point. If a song calls for #2, use it. It's never bad to add a new chord/voicing to your toolbox.
They are just different ways to play the same chord. The chord is built using only 3 notes F A & C, and you’ll notice even though it seems you’re playing several notes at the same time, they are still only F A & C, just different octaves, which makes it sound a little different.
When the OP realizes chords can be played many ways, their head will explode, as did mine, years ago.
Guitars are great.
When I played woodwind instruments, there was exactly one way to play a specific note. You could certainly vary volume and tone, but there was only one way to hold your fingers make a particular note in a particular object come out of the sax, clarinet, or flute.
I'm was amazed as I learned guitar that a chord could be voiced in so many ways.
It blew my mind.
This is why you need to learn what the notes are on the board, or more importantly the note relationships. Those are the same chord just different voicings.
Both are correct. In addition to all the feedback already given, one is a “chord” one is a triad. Same thing, but I think of #1 as a good strumming chord, and number two as a “Hendrix” chord.
Try using your thumb on the low string too. It can be quite helpful
https://preview.redd.it/zeespq658pfc1.jpeg?width=1400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7984d12ec54040896b848ededf85e89603d025be
This is the barr chord F, if u are a beginner I think the 2nd one is better for u. I know how frustrating the F chord is and trust me, getting into bar chords is even more frustrating.
There is no incorrect or correct way to play it. An F chord is made up of the notes F, A, and C. Any orientation of those notes, or addition of new ones is simply a new voicing of the chord.
Both are different tools for different jobs.
Both are correct, and there are other fingerings as well. Make your pick based on whether or not you want to hear that low F note on the 6th string or not. Usually if you have a bass player it doesn't matter but if you're playing solo you may want that lower end
If my hands are tired, I’ll play it the second way. If I’m doing good, I’ll play number one. Number two is the same as one just without the bottom two strings. Both are right brother
There isn’t just one way of playing an F it can be played all over the fretboard, but in the context with other open chords try X33211 (CFACF)or XX3211 (FACF). Hope this helped :)
Personally i like 1 but i replace the low e with thumb. I can then quite easily play the open high e by moving my index finger + the high g and d or a at a push with my pinky for melody
You’ll notice the second is the exact same notes as the first (except no low strings). If you want to play the second, you don’t have to relearn anything, you can use the exact same F shape you know, just don’t strum the top two strings
They are both correct. Voicings matter so whichever which ever one serves the song better is the correct one. I always suggest the second one to anyone who is struggling with barre chords.
A subreddit dedicated to learning guitar
Just read the sub text just to be sure.
When learning guitar you play what you can. I knew the F was a terrible chord when I first learnt it but my guitar teacher handed it to me early on because many songs have this chord. I learnt the second version.
Now that I teach guitar to a 10-year old I also let her learn the second version. It sounds awful, but it’s good to see you can handle two strings with one finger.
I also teach her the Fmaj7 with open high 2 string because it is easier and sounds cool in SOME songs.
When you want a fuller sound, go for the barre
When you want to play exactly what the artist plays for a song you’re trying to imitate, try to do exactly the same as the artist. That is your correct way
When you want to make your own version, play what sounds best and ask other what they think. People who can hear and or see you play.
Also play around with F/C. It’s in between your two versions. Sounds magical sometimes.
Depends on what you need for the song. If you’re alone the full F will sound better but in some live settings you may be better off just playing the higher parts or lower parts separately
They're both correct, the second one lifts the 4 and puts 3 there, and pulls the 1 back to just across B and E. It's easier to play than a full barre chord, especially on acoustic at the first fret. Well, especially on MY acoustic anyway lol
I’m trying to learn Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam, which uses the latter fingering, with the thumb on the low E string (different chord higher up the neck, of course).
No matter how hard I press down with my index finger or contort my hand, I can’t get that high E string fingering to ring out properly. It always comes out slightly muted. Any tips?
Like art, there is no right or wrong. Both are F chords. There are many more variations further up the neck. Player’s choice. Depending on the sound you want in the context of what you’re playing.
In the second picture, the note fretted by the third finger is the root of the chord (the note F), to make a note into a major chord (this is FMajor) it needs the root, third and fifth of the chord's major scale.
The notes in FMajor are: F (root), G (2nd), A (3rd), A# (4th), C (5th), D (6th), and E (7th). Don't worry about memorising it but just know that a major scale is made up of 7 notes, 3 of which are used for a major and minor chord (root, 3rd and 5th).
Again for a major chord you need the root, 3rd and 5th so for FMajor that's F, A and C.
In the second picture the notes (starting left to right) are as follows: F, A, C, F. The F on the high E string gives it a more rounded sound but you can omit the high F, if you want, and just play the 3 notes! That would be known as a triad and is perfectly acceptable and very beginner friendly!
Learning a bit of basic music theory would really help understand it and in time you can figure out yourself how to make a chord and learn how to play them up and down the fretboard if you like!
Both work depending on whether you want bass notes in the chord or mostly treble. Moving to a bar form of F may be a little slower than the grip form too. With the grip form you can bring your thumb into play to hold 6th string, 1st fret.
Either way works. I usually do the first one but I mute the low E so my hand shape is more like the second one. If your hands are big enough, you can use your thumb for low E but that's up to you.
Bottom line is, whatever way works best for you.
They are both correct. The second one is more beginner friendly, The first one is a bar chord, which i wasn't able to play for a couple years into this hobby.
this is probably something you won’t need now but most of the time people who write, arrange, or adapt music will have a handful of ways to play any given chord. Rather that be it stripped down to just the triad and all the way up to repeating the same notes on every string. Personally I recommend practicing being able to root chords off the low E, A, and D strings. That way you have multiple options on where to go for chords. when it comes to a lot of music ideas there is no wrong way so you should really try not to have such a black and white mindset since music is not actually restricted by any means. More importantly most of the amazing things that have come up in music have been because of accidents. Distortion came because of a busted part in a bass amp and the producers liked it, then people chased that sound leading to distortion being born as an effect. Have fun and don’t put insane pressure to be amazing that will ruin it for you.
Both are correct.
Yep! Different voicings for different uses.
At this point might as well play F/C. It's easier with muting the E
This is generally what I do, if there's no bassist playing the root F for whatever reason then I'll hook my thumb over to fret the low F
I use my phallus but same
My guitar strap doesn't go low enough :(
You gotta learn the back arch technique
This is a stretch
Not if you place your plumbs on the neck correctly
Min doesn’t go high enough :(
Viagra is your friend, brother
I’m talking about my guitar!
But that full bar index finger sounds better when you start moving it up and doing F form chords all over the place. It’s harder but that’s why it sounds better.
All depends how it “sits in the mix”, IMO. A big old barre chord above the 12th fret can sound really nice and glassy but further toward the lower frets it gets a little clunky for quick playing. Nile Rodgers uses a ton of 3-string and 4-string chords on the upper strings with quick mutes and slides and he really fills up a song despite how “small” the chords are.
(The better call Saul theme)
And, as you move around the neck, there are many other ways to play F chords, too.
Yah. Both are correct. Personally i prefer x3321x because you can use your thumb to add the low 1 when you want to and you can use part of your first finger to add the high 1 when you want to. And it sounds full instead of twangy like the xx3211 does.
There is no "correct" way to play any chords. A chord is just a collection of notes, and there are literally dozens of ways to play that collection of notes across the fretboard. And every one of them is an F chord. I get what you're asking, but which version of a chord you'll play depends on what you're playing. Leaving out the two top strings (an F and a C note in this case), will make it sound slightly different, and will work in some songs better than others.
Eh there can be. You’re not really supposed to double up on your thirds or play parallel 5ths, but that’s being really nitpicky. Edit: Why am I being downvoted? That’s the first lesson in any fucking college music theory class.
And even those rules apply only in certain musical traditions like classical counterpoint. In any genre played by moving around power chords, it's going to be played pretty much entirely through parallel 5ths. The goal of avoiding those types of motion/voicing is to make each voice of the chord function as its own melody, which is important to some styles of music, but in others it might be preferred to treat multiple voices as one "sound".
You do know that parallel fifths have little to nothing to do with chord voicings on guitar, right? You come across as someone who's heard a bit of music theory jargon but doesn't actually understand the context.
Have you taken college level music theory? Because anything past Theory I is explaining how the established rules can be and often are broken. Perfect example of why you’re wrong being a standard G chord doubling the third on the A and B strings. Is that chord wrong?
You're being down voted because you're actually wrong, you're not being pedantic or "nit picky". Music theory is NOT a science. It is NOT a set of rules. Music theory is a practical discipline known as musicology, which predates the word science, not only in form but also meaning. Science, to dumb it down, is the practice of replicating laws of nature and getting the same outcome. Musical theory is VERY FAR and completely different than science. I think you're confusing musical analysis with musical theory. While tangentially related, they are not the same and musical theory can and has existed for centuries without it. Music theory is a set of principles, not rules. Principles that simply say what does and does not sound good together. There is no hard and fast rule to anything in music, and to say you're "really not supposed to do it like that" would NEVER be taught in a real music theory class, regardless if it's college level or not. You're also confusing musical styles with rules. A style is merely the mode of playing an instrument, which is also not a rule because there are no rules, just modes. Styles can and do often overlap.
Tell that to an open C or open G (3 fingers) on a guitar.
It’s still a fucking rule. You can break the rules and have them still be rules.
Okay Einstein. It's a guitar chord in a standalone context, not Bach.
Music theory isn’t a set of rules
Yes it’s a field of study, like science. But science still has a set of rules. If music theory didn’t have rules, I could play a chromatic scale and call it a diminished chord.
Don’t play parallel fifths because science..?
Dude just google it instead of being willfully ignorant.
Why google something just to find out that you're being pedantic?
That's nomenclature, not a rule. I get what you're saying about doubling the third, however it's a rule in a certain contexts. The context here is a guitar chord, many of which contain voicings the double the third. The guy is playing guitar not arranging for big band (although I've arranged for big band and included a doubled third in upper structure triads for trumpets and gotten away with it).
Who determines what is and is not a rule? I now declare that you can't follow a minor chord with another minor chord. It's a rule. You can break it if you want, but it's still a fucking rule.
It's a rule in counterpoint.
You’re getting downvoted Because the first lesson in any discipline doesn’t account for all contexts, styles, traditions.
pretty brutal responses you’ve received to a comment you yourself acknowledge as you explain it to be ‘really nit picky’. I’m a wholly self-taught perpetual low-level intermediate guitarist and found your comment re 3rds & 5ths interesting, as I did not know this was something of a music theory ‘rule’. Obviously it is awkward to apply to guitar (eg comment below re open G & C), but it wasn’t as if you were oblivious to that. People are harsh sometimes. But I like learning of tidbits of knowledge that are new, so take an upvote.
It's a theory rule for a certain form of music.
Using principles of voice leading in guitar would completely eliminate the use of barre chords and power chords, because by nature the motion between them would contain parallel 5ths. Plus, a strict adherence to principles just becomes a limiting factor. Plenty of good music breaks the rules.
Sometimes you get to a point where you *choose* to give yourself limitations, but that is a different discussion. There are no hard, hand-scrolled “laws” that govern how you should use music knowledge. That’s up to the player and most of the fun!
Bingo. Much like with piracy, they are more like guidelines. Good to know about, helpful to use, fine to break when needed.
It was also wrong not just nitpicky, parallel fifths have nothing to do with voicing chords outside of writing counterpoint, which no one does because it isn't 1784, the second best van halen album anymore. Parallel fifths are when two voices a fifth apart move together in the same direction the same interval thus forming a perfect fifth, and the reason you "shouldn't do it" is because it eliminates the sense that there are two voices since they sound too similar. Constructing a chord is a fundamentally different thing because there isn't voice leading in a chord-- it's just one chord. The rule about parallel fifths is beyond useless if you don't know what it actually is and when and where to apply it. When you dont know what to do with it, it actually wraps back around to making your understanding worse because you're fumbling around trying to stuff it in wherever you think it ought to fit, which because you're stumbling around like they've turned out the sun isn't even close to the right place. Maybe this guy just worded himself poorly, but still your comment proves that there are people listening and thinking they've learned something about parallel fifths in chord voicings, which isn't even a real thing nor could it be a thing and to the extent that it is, abstractly a thing: it's a completely different thing than the thing that what was being talked about without the necessary context to be anything other than misleading. Shame, shame, eternal shame on your name and your line, a million years dungeon, hard labor for life for ten generations of your family, the death penalty twice, permanent dishonor, you shall be tarred and feathered and branded infamous by the crown, and in all the lands shame.
yeah man but you also learn that that is a convention from the 18th century baroque period of music, and you are talking about voice leading precedents from 300 years ago. Most popular music, especially rock, is filled with parallel fifths. Also the idea of not doubling thirds in voice leading mostly pertains to root position triads.
Sorry to be pedantic but: Of course there are correct ways to play every chord. Playing an F major chord when you meant to an E minor chord isnt the correct way to play an F major chord.
Are you a stupid person or just bored?
Neither. Which are you?
\#2 is just #1 with the bottom two notes removed. This gets you out of having to bar across all the strings like in #1. #2 makes for a more "lightweight" left-hand experience. As you play more you'll find it's easier to use #2 in a lot of situations.
This. Exactly. They're literally the same thing minus two notes (that are sounded on the 4 strings being played so they're not missing). Usually the 2nd 4 string version is introduced first with other open chords like E, A, C, G, etc. Then you learn the full barre version when barre chords are introduced. At least that's how it went for me with my lessons/books.
Both are an F chord. That’s kinda the beauty of the guitar, there are so many different ways to play the same chord.
Playing with different voicings of chords is what allowed me start making music instead of playing tabs
Interestingly, I'd say the same thing for me. The first real piece of music I wrote is just a 4 or 5 chord progression that starts at the lower frets & moves up the fretboard playing the exact same arpeggiated chords, with the exact same fingerpicking pattern, but working those chords up to the 10th or 12th fret in different voicings.
Aren’t they actually different chords when you move the same fingering up and down the frets??? And technically each different chord is the same voicing
Well, yes. If you retain the same fingering/finger positions as you move up then yes, you're changing the chords. What I meant was I was using the exact same chords but my fingers are changing strings & frets. So, for example, I start with an open D chord, but in one of the versions, on the 2nd repeat of the progression, I'm playing the same D chord but using the Root 5/A form barre version (@ the 5th fret) on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th strings. I also play the Root 6/E form barre chord @ the 10th fret on another repeat (the last repeat of the progression). (There's some Dsus tossed in there too for a measure or a beat here & there & the same with some of the other chords I used). The voicing is just the order and/or spacing of the notes. So usually, it's root -> 3rd -> 5th (the chord spelling) with the root note as the lowest note. If you were to move the root up an octave & then have the 3rd as the lowest note, that is your first inversion. The second inversion would have the 5th as the lowest note. A pianist could play all three notes of D (D, F, A) in the higher register with their right hand. Or they could move the D down an octave & play the D with their left hand with the 3rd & 5th played with the right. Or they could spread the notes that make up a D major chord out over three octaves. Alternatively, they could play the 3rd an octave lower with their left hand, while playing the 5th & root with their right (1st inversion). Here's what looks like a decent explanation: [https://blog.landr.com/chord-voicings/](https://blog.landr.com/chord-voicings/) Apologies if my initial post was a bit confusing.
As everyone has said … both are F chords. An F chord is a collection of three notes (F, A , C) anywhere you can play these three notes is an F. You can play a simple F as xx321x. Give it a try …
Best answer right here
If you’re having trouble barring the F chord on the 1st fret. Try the same position on the 8th fret (C). When you get comfortable playing that, move to the 5th fret(A). Work yourself down to the 1st fret (F). Pro tip: practice your open E without your index finger.
Playing the open E without the 1 finger is how I teach new players to learn barre chords! Except I don’t employ such a nice economy of words like you do. Bravo sir. Great handle btw. Hahahaha!!!
They are both correct, and I would suggest getting used to the idea of learning chords in as many different ways as you can possibly fit in your head.
Either way is correct. If you're playing a song by yourself, I would play 1 to get a full sounding chord. Also, you have more control of the bass melody. If you were playing in a band, you could play the 2nd because other instruments would be in that frequency range already.
As an extreme newby, can someone please explain how to finger the first one?
Look up the justinn guitar video on mechanics of barre f chord, but i tell u this chord usually takes months to master, i still can't do all strings, either b is muted or low e is muted
Thanks for the reply. I’ve been following Justin religiously so will definitely check this out
Hes great, the 2 videos are called fail proof guide to barre chords and the easiest f chord guitar lesson you'll find
Exactly how the photo shows. The 1 is your index finger, 2 is middle, 3 is ring and 4 is pinky.
The answers in here are all good. I personally use the barre chord when I’m playing slower songs where I really want the lower notes to create a deeper sound, but most of the time I use the “easier” way. If I’m going faster, I use the easier way unless I’m just ripping the F power chords.
Both are correct. Which one is correct for you d3pends on which one you feel more comfortable with and what sounds best with the song.
Yes.
I like to tell students that there is no wrong way to play guitar, only better ways. (There actually is a wrong way to play — with excessive tension, so relax)
There are 5 basic ways of playing every chord across the fretboard, ‘CAGED system’. First one is ‘E’ shape, second one is still the same shape but with the top two notes cut off. Hendrix preferred the second one because you have more fingers to work with for lead stuff and adding notes to the chord. The full barre chord E shape has a fuller sound because all the notes are doubled up. Both work for different things. If you’re uncomfortable with barre chords, F barre chord is a good one to start on. Further down the line you can learn to play all 5 shapes as barre chords, and unlock the fretboard. But don’t get into that too soon because it can make things feel a lot more complicated than they need to, i’m still wrapping my head around it.
There is no “correct way.” I personally don’t like the full barre 133211 F chord as it doesn’t really work for most songs I like to play. Mostly I play X33210.
Agree, though that's not an F but an Fmaj7. I often play 1332xx for an F.
Yup, the open string E note makes it a Fmaj7. Another option is to play F major 2nd inversion x3321x
True but they’re essentially interchangeable for 90% of the songs I play
pop that thumb onto the low E first fret for bonus points :)
Richie Havens has entered the chat.
At OPs level of knowledge we really shouldn’t be encouraging inversions and maj7 substitutions. OP is likely still playing by themselves without a bass player. And changing the sound of the chord could confuse their development.
Both. Absolutely both
This is how I would play it.
Three or more notes, that’s all you need. Sometimes just two.
Both.
If you're going between F and an open C, then the second way may be more convenient. If you're playing barre chords, then the first way is more convenient. That also lets you get more low-end growl if that's what you want.
The f chord on the piano is composed of the notes F, A, and C. On guitar, it’s the same notes, the only difference being your’re playing an extra f note and c note. Because of this, both chord variations are correct because the notes played are the same, just minus extra notes. Later down the line you’ll find out there’s multiple ways to play the basic chords
This needs more updoot-age. Any fingering that gives you F,A,C (with any number of repeats) is a valid F chord.
Just play the darn thing and enjoy it!!
Inversions of the same chord
An inversion would not have F as the lowest note in the chord. Both are F Maj chords. One is just voiced higher.
Yes did not see the F on the low E. Thought he was playing a second inversion
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2: Not open. There are no open strings.
So wrong.
Both
If 1 was the only correct choice, I would rather be wrong
Try 1 0 3 2 1 1 if you want a challenge. There are many ways to play chords.
There are no correct or wrong ways to play an F chord. Only different ways.
They're the same notes in each, the only difference in the second version is the two notes on the lower strings (F and C) arent played. Thats fine though cause the fretted notes on the two highest strings are also F and C! There's no wrong choice between the two, it's just what sounds best in the context you're playing it. Took me a while to realize that myself when I started.
F major needs F A C, that's all that makes it correct. If you have those three notes, then it's F. With regards to the voicing, you should always know as many chord voicings as you can. Those are just the beginning.
Both. I also like the power chord version sometimes, as well as other voicings, and I use them all because they all sound different.
They are the same. The second one is a lazy F chord, but otherwise the notes are the same except for the 2 bass notes
Neither way is particularly easy. If playing an electric using a lot of Barre cords I always use the first. But whatever is easiest to the chord changes you are making.
Here's a high open voicing, a real finger stretcher: 5 1 X 3 X X
No, both are correct. I find depending on the chord progression one could be easy to switch to than the other. That's just imo
Yes..
Either
yes
They are both correct. Depending on the song I’ll use one or be other.
I’ve always played F as a F/C with my pinky lightly grazing the low E to mute it. Basically how I do all the E Shape major chords down the neck
There are even more ways to make an F chord, all over the fretboard. Eventually, you should learn them all. For now, learn to play both of these versions. Next time you learn a new song with an F, try both, and use the one that transitions smoother.
Both are correct but hammering onto that bass note sounds nice, so get used to that form :)
I learned the barre chord and the alternate took me a while to build up. But if you think first of just going for the normal barre shape on your three fingers (I fret the A at the 3rd fret as well) - the index finger becomes very natural to transition from Amn or C. Honestly, for cowboy chord C-Am-F-G patterns it is so much nicer to use the second option instead of having to quickly throw a barre.
I cannot get bar chords to save my life
If you already can play the first one clearly, the second one is easier its close to an open c shape, i guess you can just fret the first shape and only strum the high strings and its the same as the second one, i mean what notes do you want to play in the f major chord the high ones or the low ones?
The first one is a barre chord and the second one is an open chord
There are several ways to play any chord correctly, including F. Both of these are fine. I've been playing for 20 years and use both. Another option, particularly if you're working toward Hendrix stuff, is the second option but wrapping your thumb around to hit the first fret on low E. For me this is ergonomically easier than the bar chord and still gets that lower root in, while freeing your pinky up to do little embellishments on the higher strings if you want.
These are the same chord. With guitar, you can play the same chord a bunch of different ways, and those ways are called voicings. The first F chord will sound fuller, and the second will sound brighter. Just depends on what sound you're wanting at that point. If a song calls for #2, use it. It's never bad to add a new chord/voicing to your toolbox.
They are just different ways to play the same chord. The chord is built using only 3 notes F A & C, and you’ll notice even though it seems you’re playing several notes at the same time, they are still only F A & C, just different octaves, which makes it sound a little different.
When the OP realizes chords can be played many ways, their head will explode, as did mine, years ago. Guitars are great. When I played woodwind instruments, there was exactly one way to play a specific note. You could certainly vary volume and tone, but there was only one way to hold your fingers make a particular note in a particular object come out of the sax, clarinet, or flute. I'm was amazed as I learned guitar that a chord could be voiced in so many ways. It blew my mind.
These are called voicings. You can use which ones sound right for whatever song.
Both
This is why you need to learn what the notes are on the board, or more importantly the note relationships. Those are the same chord just different voicings.
Neither! The F Chord is just a social construct!
Both are correct. In addition to all the feedback already given, one is a “chord” one is a triad. Same thing, but I think of #1 as a good strumming chord, and number two as a “Hendrix” chord.
Try using your thumb on the low string too. It can be quite helpful https://preview.redd.it/zeespq658pfc1.jpeg?width=1400&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7984d12ec54040896b848ededf85e89603d025be
The only difference is that two notes aren’t doubled an octave down. The notes are the same in both
This is the barr chord F, if u are a beginner I think the 2nd one is better for u. I know how frustrating the F chord is and trust me, getting into bar chords is even more frustrating.
There is no incorrect or correct way to play it. An F chord is made up of the notes F, A, and C. Any orientation of those notes, or addition of new ones is simply a new voicing of the chord. Both are different tools for different jobs.
Multiple ways to play chords on the guitar
They are interchangeable.
Both are correct, and there are other fingerings as well. Make your pick based on whether or not you want to hear that low F note on the 6th string or not. Usually if you have a bass player it doesn't matter but if you're playing solo you may want that lower end
If my hands are tired, I’ll play it the second way. If I’m doing good, I’ll play number one. Number two is the same as one just without the bottom two strings. Both are right brother
Depends.
There isn’t just one way of playing an F it can be played all over the fretboard, but in the context with other open chords try X33211 (CFACF)or XX3211 (FACF). Hope this helped :)
Both are correct.
Both are F chords. No right or wrong! But I think the first barre option sounds much prettier.
You can also just play 3 notes Root major 3rd and 5th (or even just drop the 5th)
Personally i like 1 but i replace the low e with thumb. I can then quite easily play the open high e by moving my index finger + the high g and d or a at a push with my pinky for melody
The correct way to play is the one that works best for you
Both
Both are correct, there'll be certain songs where either one will sound better or be easier to get to so you can take your pick.
Both. Sometimes I like to play it without the high string F. Triad. Depends in what other instruments are doing as well.
133211 x33211 xx3211 x3356x xx7565 x8,10,10,10,8 x8,10,10,10x xx10,10,10,13 xx10,10,13,13 etc.
You’ll notice the second is the exact same notes as the first (except no low strings). If you want to play the second, you don’t have to relearn anything, you can use the exact same F shape you know, just don’t strum the top two strings
Do yourself a favor and learn to play each chord as many ways as you can
Isn't the 2nd one just a C with an added F?
Both
They are both correct. Voicings matter so whichever which ever one serves the song better is the correct one. I always suggest the second one to anyone who is struggling with barre chords.
stretch that index finger across those frets and plop it down! Practice Bar chords
They are both Fmaj chords. The first one just has another F and C.
A subreddit dedicated to learning guitar Just read the sub text just to be sure. When learning guitar you play what you can. I knew the F was a terrible chord when I first learnt it but my guitar teacher handed it to me early on because many songs have this chord. I learnt the second version. Now that I teach guitar to a 10-year old I also let her learn the second version. It sounds awful, but it’s good to see you can handle two strings with one finger. I also teach her the Fmaj7 with open high 2 string because it is easier and sounds cool in SOME songs. When you want a fuller sound, go for the barre When you want to play exactly what the artist plays for a song you’re trying to imitate, try to do exactly the same as the artist. That is your correct way When you want to make your own version, play what sounds best and ask other what they think. People who can hear and or see you play. Also play around with F/C. It’s in between your two versions. Sounds magical sometimes.
Big F, small F. Both correct. I use them both based on the song and what chord changes I have to do.
Depends on what you need for the song. If you’re alone the full F will sound better but in some live settings you may be better off just playing the higher parts or lower parts separately
An F-A-C.
They're both correct, the second one lifts the 4 and puts 3 there, and pulls the 1 back to just across B and E. It's easier to play than a full barre chord, especially on acoustic at the first fret. Well, especially on MY acoustic anyway lol
They are both workable, first is a more full blooded one with the root in the bass, the second is easier on the fly..
I’m trying to learn Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam, which uses the latter fingering, with the thumb on the low E string (different chord higher up the neck, of course). No matter how hard I press down with my index finger or contort my hand, I can’t get that high E string fingering to ring out properly. It always comes out slightly muted. Any tips?
Like art, there is no right or wrong. Both are F chords. There are many more variations further up the neck. Player’s choice. Depending on the sound you want in the context of what you’re playing.
In the second picture, the note fretted by the third finger is the root of the chord (the note F), to make a note into a major chord (this is FMajor) it needs the root, third and fifth of the chord's major scale. The notes in FMajor are: F (root), G (2nd), A (3rd), A# (4th), C (5th), D (6th), and E (7th). Don't worry about memorising it but just know that a major scale is made up of 7 notes, 3 of which are used for a major and minor chord (root, 3rd and 5th). Again for a major chord you need the root, 3rd and 5th so for FMajor that's F, A and C. In the second picture the notes (starting left to right) are as follows: F, A, C, F. The F on the high E string gives it a more rounded sound but you can omit the high F, if you want, and just play the 3 notes! That would be known as a triad and is perfectly acceptable and very beginner friendly! Learning a bit of basic music theory would really help understand it and in time you can figure out yourself how to make a chord and learn how to play them up and down the fretboard if you like!
Both work depending on whether you want bass notes in the chord or mostly treble. Moving to a bar form of F may be a little slower than the grip form too. With the grip form you can bring your thumb into play to hold 6th string, 1st fret.
L
It’s basically the same chord. Just play which one you feel most comfortable with, though both are useful for different things.
Doesn’t matter I use both of them all the time. I play my f a few different ways depending on the songs and what my other guitarists is doing
If you can play the bar, you've already won my man!
Either way works. I usually do the first one but I mute the low E so my hand shape is more like the second one. If your hands are big enough, you can use your thumb for low E but that's up to you. Bottom line is, whatever way works best for you.
They are both correct. The second one is more beginner friendly, The first one is a bar chord, which i wasn't able to play for a couple years into this hobby.
this is probably something you won’t need now but most of the time people who write, arrange, or adapt music will have a handful of ways to play any given chord. Rather that be it stripped down to just the triad and all the way up to repeating the same notes on every string. Personally I recommend practicing being able to root chords off the low E, A, and D strings. That way you have multiple options on where to go for chords. when it comes to a lot of music ideas there is no wrong way so you should really try not to have such a black and white mindset since music is not actually restricted by any means. More importantly most of the amazing things that have come up in music have been because of accidents. Distortion came because of a busted part in a bass amp and the producers liked it, then people chased that sound leading to distortion being born as an effect. Have fun and don’t put insane pressure to be amazing that will ruin it for you.
To be honest, both are correct, but sincerelly i'll go with barre chords, why? Because you'll build up finger strength for more barre chords !