How to play the F major over E chord on guitar

The F chord, pronounced "F major over E," is a unique guitar voicing that adds a rich, jazzy flavor to progressions. By playing an F major triad over an open E string, the chord creates an intriguing blend of major and suspended tonalities. The F/E is notably used in popular songs across various genres, from folk to indie rock, adding a distinctive harmonic color.

The most common way to play the F major over E chord on guitar is on the 1st fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a F major over E chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 1st fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to strum down across all six strings in one smooth motion.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the F major over E chord, try playing an F major triad on the top three strings. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 1st (high E) string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd (B) string.

Playing an F major over E barre chord can be a great way to add variety and richness to your guitar playing, especially when transitioning between chords.

Here's how to play an F major over E barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 1st fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum from the 6th (low E) string down to the 1st (high E) string.

The F major over E chord, also known as Fmaj7/E or F/E, adds a dreamy and contemplative feel to chord progressions. It often serves as a transitional chord, creating a sense of movement and resolution. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the F major over E chord:

• I - V⁶/ii - ii - V (C - F/E - Dm - G)
• vi - V⁶/ii - IV - V (Am - F/E - F - G). Used in "Wonderwall" by Oasis and "No Woman, No Cry" by Bob Marley.
• ii - V⁶/ii - V (Dm - F/E - G)
• iii - V⁶/ii - vi - IV (Em - F/E - Am - F)
• IV - V⁶/ii - I - vi (F - F/E - C - Am)

To master the F major over E guitar chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, starting with the lowest note and ascending to the highest. Focus on cleanly fretting and picking each note, ensuring they ring out clearly. Once comfortable, play the notes in reverse order, descending from the highest to the lowest.

Another effective drill is to play the chord as an arpeggio, plucking each note one at a time in a flowing, rhythmic pattern. Experiment with different arpeggio patterns and rhythms to develop dexterity and familiarity with the chord shape.

Here are 3 popular songs you can play with the F major over E chord:

1. Lonely Boy by The Black Keys (Em, C, G, F#m, F, E)
2. First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes (C, F, G)
3. A Man Without Love by Engelbert Humperdinck (C, F, G, E7, Am)