I would sort of say yes but it depends on what you class as getting to the end of a module. When I was going through the course I always thought of it as three phases so I’m absorbing the material in the latest module,and learning new techniques e.g module 2, whilst I’m still practicing and improving techniques from module 1 and learning songs from that module too ( or even earlier). Remember it does not take long to go through the lessons and “learn” the basic techniques BUT it’ll take you weeks if not months to become competent.
That is one way to look at it, however what I wouldn’t recommend is waiting until the end of the grade 2 before playing the grade 2 songs. Playing songs is the best way to learn the skills you need.
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Question - with the mini F chord, do you roll your first finger to an angle to get the harder side like is recommended with the Barre F or just press on the B and e strings really hard? I find it easier to make those two strings ring out when rolling the tip of my first finger but find it hard to change to other. chords like the Am and D. Just pressing down hard is pretty hard for me but makes those chord changes easier. I’ve watched the video and can’t really tell but it seems like Justin is just pressing down without rolling the tip of his first finger, but it’s not really clear.
I do neither. I press with my index finger flattened and only with as much pressure as needed to make the strings ring out. You should never have to press hard on your strings. Have you ever had you guitar set up?
This may help
Thanks for the response. No, the guitar hasn’t had a set up and that’s a good idea. I will have that done.
I did change the strings from 12’s to 11’s on my acoustic this morning and I’m finding it easier to press the B and e string and get them ringing out. I don’t have to press down very hard when I come to it fresh but my fretting hand gets tired after a short while and that’s when the the chord starts coming out muted. It’s like I haven’t built up very much stamina with my hand strength yet. Thanks for letting me know how you play the mini F, it helps a lot.
I watched the video again just now and he clearly says “using the pad of the first finger”. I missed that before. I am finding it a challenge to flatten my first finger while arching my second an third, but angling the fingers like when forming a C chord helps. I’m not used to it yet so it feels very strange.
I can’t press my index finger flat and get my other fingers on the proper strings, to get them to ring out my index finger has to roll right over onto its side. Doesn’t seem to matter how I turn my wrist, elbow, anything. But I’ll keep trying, I eventually got the previous chords, after all.
Hi Rebecca,
If this works for you it’s good, work on more fun things 
Greetings
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There is no right or wrong way. You have to do what you have to do but if it’s causing pain you’ll need to find a better way. If it feel right for you hand and works with no pain that that’s right for you.
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That’s somewhat a relief for me as well 
I’m still consolidating Grade 1 - which will surely still take ages since I want to be able play and sing my five songs by heart - but I am messing around with my mini-F of course ( as I could play it - if badly - a long time ago).
I get the changes to mini-F fast enough, that’s not the issue, but it sounds fine maybe only 40 or 50 % of the time. I suppose, it’s just a matter of time and repetition to get it sound good more consistently?
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Or up to the 6th fret right? Or is there an easier way to make a Bb?
I suppose I could just look up a chord chart. But as soon as I was able to make the F chord sound out, I immediately used it for Bb and played S-L-O-W-L-Y through a couple of songs in F.
I came here to lament that the mini-F seems a lot harder to play than the regular barre version of F. I got to module 9 about 3 days ago and have been hanging out here working on this stuff. I’m no where near playing F in the context of a song. I could do Fmaj7 and maybe F/C. I can’t play mini-F in any context yet.
If you know you A shaped Barre chords the Bb is barred the first fret index finger 3rd fret A shape Mini barre. The diagram shows the D G B strings played with the 2,3,4 finger but I prefer the mini barre with the ring finger.
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Oh, thanks. Yes. That makes a lot more sense. I feel like I should have been able to figure that out.
It’s currently a bit harder to form than the F, but I was able to make it sound out. Er. Once. LOL.
Hi All! Whenever I play an F bar, there is always a buzzing that seems to originate from the low E string. The rest of the strings ring out beautifully. I am wondering if some setup adjustment needs to be made on my guitar (Acoustic). The buzzing rings out even if I press as hard as I can with my index on the low E, alone, without even trying the full bar. It also still buzzes even if I tighten a capo over. Has anyone else ever experienced this? It is frustrating because my hand strength is where it needs to be, and I feel confident with the chord (aside from that pesky low E)
There’s definitely something wrong with your setup. Check the neck relief and adjust if necessary. There’s loads of Youtube videos on how to do this. It’s the easiest adjustment you can make on a guitar. It’s also possible your saddle is too low. Unlikely though, as they tend to be set high from the factory.
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Mini-F is definitely the most awkward for me right now.
My first finger is flat on the B and high E strings, but it’s at an angle pointing towards the soundhole. Is that normal, or should it be facing straight up and down? I’m using similar hand position and angle as C, which for me means that all my fingers are at an angle.
Well, re-reading this thread today I came to a disturbing realization. I’ve been playing the mini F chord as the F Major/C with my index finger on the 2 lower strings. It sounded just like the F Barre Chord to me, so I never questioned it. sigh Now to un-learn what I have learned.
If you mean the B and e srting then you are playing to right. The /C part of the chord is the note C on the A string 3rd fret and muting the E (6th) string so the C note is the lowest note. It is perfectly OK to use the F/C inplace of the Barre F chord
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I but I was doing the min F WITH my3rd and 4th fingers on the 4th and 5th strings in the 3rd Fret. I sort of merged mini F with the F/C.
I find it easier to play the Mini F chord using fingers 1, 3 and 4, and not using my middle finger. When I use fingers 1, 2 and 3 I find that the middle finger tends to mute the second string.