How to play the A major over F chord on guitar

The A/F chord, pronounced "A over F", is a unique voicing of the A major chord with an F note in the bass. This chord creates a rich, somewhat jazzy sound that adds sophistication to progressions. It's notably used in popular songs like "Wonderwall" by Oasis and "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman, and frequently appears in folk, rock, and singer-songwriter genres.

The A major over F chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 8th fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play an A major over F chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings at the 8th fret.
2. Place your ring finger on the 10th fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 10th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
4. Place your middle finger on the 9th fret of the 2nd (B) string.

Strum all six strings together in a downward motion, starting from the lowest (thickest) string to the highest (thinnest) string, to play the A major over F chord.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the A major over F chord, try playing an open A chord (with no barring) and adding your thumb to the 1st fret of the low E string. This creates a similar sound without the difficulty of barring, making it easier for beginners to play.

The A major over F barre chord is a great way to add a fuller, richer sound to your playing compared to the standard open A chord.

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

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

The A major over F chord, also known as the F(add9) chord, adds a dreamy and nostalgic feel to progressions. It's often used as a transitional chord to create a smooth, flowing sound. Here are some common chord progressions featuring this chord:

• IV - I(add9) - vi - V (F - C(add9) - Am - G) - Used in "Wonderwall" by Oasis and "No Woman, No Cry" by Bob Marley
• ii - I(add9) - IV - V (Dm - C(add9) - F - G)
• vi - IV - I(add9) - V (Am - F - C(add9) - G) - Used in "Hey There Delilah" by Plain White T's
• iii - vi - I(add9) - IV (Em - Am - C(add9) - F)
• I(add9) - vi - ii - V (C(add9) - Am - Dm - G)

To master the A major over F guitar chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, starting with the lowest pitch and ascending to the highest. Focus on producing a clear, crisp sound for each note. Once you've played all four notes, strum the full chord, letting each note ring out simultaneously.

Another effective drill is to practice transitioning between the A major over F chord and other chords you frequently use. Choose a progression that includes this chord, and play through it slowly, ensuring each transition is smooth and precise.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the A major over F chord:

1. Hey Jude by The Beatles (F, C, G, D, A, Dm, Bb)
2. Let It Be by The Beatles (C, G, A, F, Dm, Bb)
3. Wonderwall by Oasis (Em, G, D, A)
4. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd (D, C, G, F)
5. Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Bob Dylan (G, D, Am, C)
6. The Scientist by Coldplay (F, Dm, Bb, C)
7. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (Em, G, D, C, Am)
8. Stand By Me by Ben E. King (A, F#m, D, E)
9. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (Am, G, F, C, D)
10. Zombie by The Cranberries (Em, C, G, D)