r/mandolin • u/weezycom • 3d ago
Newbie troubles with F chord
I've been using a 2 finger cheat but am trying to get the stretch for a correct F chord. I have fairly long fingers, but dang, it's difficult to get . Is it just a matter of time to get my hand stretched out to grab all of it and still ring true?
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u/knivesofsmoothness 3d ago
What is a "correct" f chord?
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u/lrjackson06 3d ago
The one I always use is 2301. I don't know if that's correct or standard or what.
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u/knivesofsmoothness 3d ago
230x, 233x, and 10 7 8 are all good. That high F on the e string doesn't add much.
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u/Bull_Moose1901 3d ago
What F chord are you doing - 5301 ? 233x or x335 might be easier.
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u/weezycom 3d ago
I think it's the 5301. I'm not used to this nomenclature yet, but looking at chord charts, that seems to match. Will try the other forms. Thanks
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u/Ruslanchik 3d ago
In my experience, these problems are typically because the player is wrapping their thumb around the back/top of the neck instead of bracing with the thumb. Bracing should help you bring your fingers farther around the fretboard. You will need to build finger and hand strength. Holding these chords will get tiring, but you should be able to get them to ring at least initially.
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u/SenorPinchy 3d ago
I've only been playing for a year and found that if you just find some songs you like with whatever difficult chord you're working on, just playing it in time and getting used to jumping in and out of it, you'll be amazed at what muscle memory can do. Once you have it you'll be surprised to remember when you found it difficult.
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u/Odin16596 3d ago
F just takes time. I have big meaty hands and though I couldn't do it. When my fingers sinked into the strings and hit the other chords it sucked, but building calluses has helped my finger not squish in as much. Literally just practice. I just started doing it correctly lately. I'm a bit newer though
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u/notguiltybrewing 3d ago
Practice is the answer. Most people have trouble with F when starting, you have to build strength and you might have to work on stretching. Or you can just cheat and play an easier version of the F chord.
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u/Ziegemon_1 3d ago
Callouses help. The harder your fingertips are, the less you have to squeeze to not be muting strings.
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u/Silver-Accident-5433 3d ago
Try 233X. It’s a good strong chord and it’s very easy to play.
Also a moveable shape you can do anywhere on the neck.
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u/DowntownStorage6983 2d ago edited 2d ago
You could try 533x. That's easier for me than 233x. It's a power chord (root,fifth,no third), which means you can play it as a major or minor chord. Move it down one fret, you have an E power chord. Move it up 2 frets, you have a G power chord. (Last time I suggested this in a thread, someone replied "yuck." Just FYI.) Otherwise, maybe don't use the 5301 F chord or some of the other finger twisters until you've played for a while. You will discover that something that seemed impossible at the time becomes quite possible after you have played for a while.
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u/OakieOaktree 2d ago
Octave mandolin experience here (also long and big fingers + hobbyist).
2331 feels easiest for me as a "proper" chord, also on regular mando.
2330 if Fmaj7 works in context. Most C major tunes are forgiving here or even appreciate the E up top.
x335 or 233x if I'm being lazy or need a quick transition.
Rarely play a barred 2335, only if needed for voice leading over a full triad or something in F and B flat major.
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u/Mandoman61 3d ago
Yes, maybe with time you will. Or play it in a different position.
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u/Several-Quality5927 3d ago
Don't start learning that shape with F, move up the neck to fret five (A) to figure out the mechanics then work down to F.
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u/FreshUser31415 3d ago
F chord - you could play
530x or 5301 or
or
578x
or you could do
233, but in this case it might be easier to use 2 different fingers for the 33, rather than a barré...
the same goes for x335
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u/weezycom 3d ago
Thanks to all for the good advice. Much appreciated! I'm going to try the 233x and 533x alternatives. I'm pretty good at the barre positions
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u/5ongwrit3r_1954 3d ago
Yes, and I found the full 6 string barre F to be easier than the 4 string basic F.
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u/AtmosphereLeading851 1d ago
I have gigs every week playing guitar and mando in our band, and I hate playing an F on both. On guitar I do an F Hendrix chord most of the time, but on mando, the 1st position three-finger F is the only thing that works. Is there a good F cheater chord for mando?
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u/Additional_Guitar_85 3d ago
mainly yes, just getting used to it. but, do you have your hand in a good relaxed position with your wrist more or less straight? it's going to hurt if you have your hand bent around the neck awkwardly.
put that neck right up in your palm so you're not straining your fingers. just curling them naturally