My 5 Favorite F Chords to use in Music Therapy Sessions

The F barre chord is often called the hardest, but for music therapists, it’s rarely essential. Unlike rockstars, we focus on using guitar to support therapy goals, not performance. Even as a pro, I avoid the F barre chord because there are many easier, better ways to play F during music therapy sessions.

“But I can play the F barre chord fine, why would I want to change that?”

You don’t have to—but here’s some things to consider:

·      You’re giving an adaptive music lesson and your client needs an easier substitute

·      Your fingers are starting to hurt and you need something to ease the pain

·      You’re starting to injure yourself from playing guitar

o   Which, by the way, is INCREDIBLY PREVALENT IN MUSIC THERAPISTS

·      You’re simply tired of the chord

·      You want to know beautiful, easy substitutions for music-for-relaxation or improvisational experiences

I’m sure there’s other reasons, but you get the idea:

There are many good reasons to learn these friendly F chords, my music therapy friend!

SO here are my 5 favorite F barre chord substitutions that will 10/10 make your guitar playing easier FOR LIFE!

Number 1: The F “Fun Barre” Chord

I use this F chord when I want “beefy low end” or when I am in the mood to rock out \m/

Benefits

• Full sounding

• Has all the notes

• Looks like the barre chord

  • No barre = more fun

• Darker-tone

  
  How to Play It
  

• Slightly tilt wrist

• Pointer finger only pushes down on low E string

• Pointer finger mutes B and high E string by lightly touching the string

Number 2: F/C (5-String Version)

I use this F chord when I want a bright, but full F chord without much effort!

Benefits

• Full-sounding

• Only barring two strings

• Easy C to F transition

• Brighter-tone 

How to Play It

• Lay pointer finger on B and high E strings

• Apply pressure to pad of pointer finger

• Mute low E string

  • Wrap thumb to mute

  • OR use tip of ring finger to mute

If you can’t mute the low E string, then strum through the bottom 4-5 strings

Number 3: F/C (4-String Version)

I use this F chord when I want a full-sounding F chord and am feeling lazy!

Benefits

• Full-sounding

• No barre? No problem!

• Warmer-tone

• Moveable shape (see below)

How to Play It

• Pointer finger mutes high E

• Mute low E string

  • Wrap thumb to mute

  • Use tip of ring finger

BONUS TIP

Move this chord up and down the neck for a “major” barre chord hack ;)

Number 4: F (4-String Version)

This was the first F chord I learned, and it’s especially good for fingerpicking!

Benefits

• Mid-range focus

• Little barre

• Not boom-y

How to Play It

• Lay pointer finger on B and high E strings

• Apply pressure to pad of pointer finger

• Mute A string with tip of ring finger

• Mute low E string

  • Wrap thumb to mute

  • Or only strum the bottom 4-ish strings

Number 5: The BEAUTIFUL Fmaj7

I use this chord for instantly beautiful sounding improvisations, and it can be a great replacement in songs too if it feels good!

Benefits

• BEAUTIFUL

• NO BARRE

• EASY

How to Play It

• Pointer finger on the tip

• Ring finger on the pad

• Mute A string with tip of ring finger

• Mute low E string

  • Wrap thumb to mute

  • Or only strum the bottom 4-ish strings

There are MANY other options like power chords, but these are my 5 favorite F chords that I will use regularly in music therapy sessions!

If you want EVEN MORE F chord substitutions, check out my YouTube short below!

If you want to learn how to NEVER play a barre chord again (and get CMTEs for it), then check out my course: “How to Never Play a Barre Chord Again Pt. 1”