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.
OK, I was in the same camp as all of you that were saying that the “mini” F is actually harder than the full barre F. I’m frankly still in that camp, but with a good amount of time fidgeting I finally figured it out…
Two things helped me to finally make a “mini” F that works: 1) changing my thumb position around and 2) changing the angle of the neck.
I’m still not great at the mini F, but it’s starting to come along a little bit. I still can’t get it accurately in a song while keeping in time though.
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I’m starting my training for module 9 now. Do you guys have a favorite song for incorporating each F variation? I know I’ll be using big F in Far From Any Road and Fmaj7/C in One, but I’m not sure where I’ll fit a mini F.
You can play a mini F in place of any full barre F (more or less)
Help!
I’m trying to play the most challenging form of the F chord and the form that only requires that the two thinnest strings are barred, and when I cover those thinnest strings doing either version, they’re always muted. I’ve tried moving my first finger every which way, but I can’t get it so I don’t mute those strings. Any advice would be appreciated.
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Which frets? 1st, 2nd, and 3rd?
I had this very problem. The good news is I’m passed it and you will be too eventually. Now I struggle with changing to it fast enough. I suppose I’ll get past that too.
What I did was to just roll my finger around a bit until I found the least fleshy part of my pointy finger. I have to kind of bring my elbow in closer to my body to get there. Apart from that, I’ve made it a priority to incorporate it into songs I’m working on so I’m forced to keep at it. You have to develop the correct muscles in your hand to pull it off. Maybe you’re not quite there but practice will get you there.
Hope that helps at least a bit.
My favorite Justin line so far happens in his song lesson for “Imagine”. He sings the chord names into the song as he does and says “Imagine there’s no F chord. It’s easier if you Fmaj7”. 
Yup.
Jeff
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