Request assistance understanding the Chord Finder

Hello,

I'm at Fundamental 1, 2. Learning the F chord, and my fingers do not cooperate. I'm changing my fingers used compared to the video lesson where I can play each string without distortion except with my index finger on the b string where it angles and lays on the e string, please see the attached picture with my modified finger position, I'm able to play much better than instructed in the video with my variation.

I was looking for a possible easier finger position, I reviewed the online chord finder and I'm confused with the numbers. I see there are numbers with a white and red background. Looking specifically at the F Maj at the different variations, would someone share the difference between numbers with the two background colors, what strings should be utilized/played - red/white background.

And a step further - I did a search on the internet and saw more examples how to play the F maj. One that is the easiest for me is the F6 - fingers are only on 2 frets - 1 and 2 - so no stretching between frets. For that F6 I use my pinky on the g string, 2nd fret, and play the b,e as a barre on fret 1using my index and those 3 strings played have no distortion.

Thanks,

Bob

Hey, Bob.

Anyway you can get the notes to sound is fine.  I encourage you to continue to work on the traditional way to fret the chord, as well as other ways!  Eventually you have to use the chord with other chords in musical examples.  So you'll find that different ways of fretting chords are more effective in making certain changes.

For example, getting from the standard C major to F major is much more efficient if you use the index, middle and ring fingers.

But to play any chord all you really need is the 1st, 3rd and 5th scale degrees.  So you can play an F major like this:

|-------------|
|--1-(5th)----|
|--2-(3rd)----|
|--3-(1st)----|
|-------------|
|-------------|

Or this:

|--1-(1st)----|
|--1-(5th)----|
|--2-(3rd)----|
|-------------|
|-------------|
|-------------|

Or this:

|-------------|
|-------------|
|--2-(3rd)----|
|--3-(1st)----|
|--3-(5th)----|
|-------------|

The standard form is just the traditional way that players form the chord to make effective use of the strings (root notes on bottom and top for full sound) especially when combining it with C major and G major.

|--1-(1st)----|
|--1-(5th)----|
|--2-(3rd)----|
|--3-(1st)----|
|-------------|
|-------------|

But all of these are legitimate ways of playing an F major chord.

Regarding the Chord Finder.   The numbers indicate fingers (1-index, 2-middle, 3-ring, 4-pinky), the red circles indicate the root notes of the chord, the white circles are the the other chord tones (3-5-7, etc.).

Hope that helps!

Hi Christopher,

Thank you for your the information, I appreciate it. It does make sense.

Bob

You're welcome!