Here are three ways to play the F chord (easy, medium and hard). The easy version is the classic F chord shape, played in the open position. Even though this is listed here as the ‘easy’ version, it’s probably the hardest of the standard shapes played in the open position. The medium version is a root-5 barre chord, played on the 8th fret. The hard version is a root-6 barre chord, played on the 1st fret. It’s listed as hard, because barring all six strings on the 1st fret can be challenging for beginners.
Easy Version (how to play)
- Place your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th string.
- Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the first two strings (this is a mini-barre).
- Strum the bottom four strings.
Medium Version (how to play)
- 1st finger barres all strings except the 6th string, on the 8th fret.
- Place your 2nd finger on the 10th fret of the 4th string.
- Place your 3rd finger on the 10th fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your 4th finger on the 10th fret of the 2nd string.
Hard Version (how to play)
- 1st finger barres the 1st fret (all strings).
- Place your 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string.
- Place your 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th string.
- Place your 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string.
- Strum all strings.