Chords 03: F major

In this part of our beginner series – followingC major and A minor – we learn F major. This is the first chord that requires more than one finger – two, to be exact. If C major and A minor already feel secure, it is time to put the middle and index fingers to work at the same time. It is not a difficult chord and everyone will get it quickly. The next chord will be G major. I usually say that G major is the first chord that gives beginners a little trouble, but once that is working too, the four chords learned so far – C major, A minor, F major and G major – will allow us to play a large number of songs.

To fret F major, press the fourth – uppermost – string at the second fret, just as for A minor. Leave the third string open, fret the second string at the first fret with the index finger, and leave the first string open as well.

That gives us the chord written as 2 0 1 0: F major.

So let us learn F major: