e and f chords
 
 
 
 

Here are two more chords for you, the E chord and the F chord. If you are already familiar with the material in  Lesson Two,  Lesson Four, and Lesson Six keep on reading. If not, get back there and return here when you are comfortable with them.

E is a pussycat. If you've already played A minor, which you should have if you are here, simply play the same chord DOWN ONE STRING. Remember that on the guitar it is common practice to refer to going from the fourth to the fifth string going down a string. Because the fifth string has a lower pitch it is called going down a string even though your hand is moving up. Strange, I know, but get used to it. F on the other hand is usually quite challenging for the beginner. It represents the first time you will be called upon to BARRE your finger across more than one string. If you look at the diagram above you will notice that there is a "1" on both the first and second strings. This means that you are to play both of those notes with your first (index) finger. This is best accomplished by bending your index finger backwards at the last knuckle, that is the opposite direction you would bend it in to make a fist. This is very challenging at first, but contrary to popular belief you don't have to be double-jointed, or a vulcan to play the F chord. You just need to practice it a lot.

Here's a neat little chord progression. Strum each chord six times evenly, and have fun.
 
 

 Ami/////C/////D/////F/////Ami/////C/////E/////E/////

Ami/////C/////D/////F/////Ami/////E/////Ami/////E/////
 

"it takes courage to be afraid"-montaigne