How to Play Guitar in the Key of F

The key of F is found most commonly in folk-oriented music. This key also works exceptionally well with brass players if the occasion to play with them should arise.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Guitar Amplifiers
• Guitar Cables
• Guitar Cases
• Guitar Picks
• Guitar Slide
• Guitar Stands
• Guitar Straps
• Guitar Strings
• Guitars
• Metronome
• Guitar Music Books
• Sheet Music For Guitar
• Electronic Tuner For Guitars

The F Chord

1. Review and memorize the names of the strings. Lowest to highest, they are E-A-D-G-B-E.
2. Place your index finger over the first frets of the B and high E strings. This placement requires you to bend your finger a little to cover both notes.
3. Place your middle finger on the second fret of the G string.
4. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the A string.
5. Place your pinky on the third fret of the D string.
6. Strum the chord downward from the lowest strings toward the highest.

The B-Flat, C and D-Minor Chords

7. Lay your index finger across the first fret, pressing down firmly on all of the strings to begin the B-flat chord.
8. Place your middle finger on the third fret of the D string.
9. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the G string.
10. Place your pinky on the third fret of the B string.
11. Strum the strings downward to play the B-flat chord.
12. Place your index finger on the first fret of the B string to begin the C chord.
13. Place your middle finger on the second fret of the D string.
14. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the A string.
15. Strum the strings downward to play the C chord.
16. Place your index finger on the first fret of the high E string to begin the D-minor chord.
17. Place your middle finger on the second fret of the G string.
18. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the B string.
19. Mute the low E string with your thumb and strum the strings downward to play the D-minor chord. E is not part of the three notes in D minor (D-F-A).

The Key of F

20. Freely strum the sequence F, B-flat, C. Disregard tempo and meter for now.
21. Strum each chord four times repeating the sequence of F, B-flat, C.
22. Strum F four times, B-flat two times, and C two times and repeat.
23. Repeat Step 22 while keeping a steady tempo. Use a metronome if accessible.
24. Strum F four times, B-flat two times, and C four times.
25. Strum each chord two times.
26. Strum F two times, B-flat two times, D minor four times, and C four times.
27. Experiment with your own variations and progressions.

Tips & Warnings

• It is essential that you mute the low E string with your thumb on the F chord. E is not one of the three notes in the F-major chord (F-A-C).
• Instead of stretching three fingers out over the third fret, you can bend your ring finger across the third fret of the D, G, and B strings when playing the B-flat chord.
• The B-flat chord takes extra practice to master.
• To make the C chord sound completely authentic, mute the low E string with your thumb.