Does it matter if the index finger is off the top of the neck playing F barre?
Like pretty much everyone I'm struggling to get good at F barre. After reading a lot of these answers I couldn't find an answer to this:
I've got a pretty good and more and more consistent F recently, with a lot of practice, but the tip of my index finger is almost completely off the top of the neck? e.g. The 6th string (E) sits only just above the first finger joint and strings 1 (e) and 2 (B) are between the second joint and base of finger.
I seem to be able to play it pretty well - but worry that the index finger is too high?
(ps. Hope I got the strings right!)
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I don't believe there is anything wrong with the tip of the index finger sticking out off the neck when playing barre. Similarly you may find that in some cases when you're supposed to play barre over e.g. two or three strings it is easier to put the finger over more strings. It may depend on specific chord shape as well as on your individual anatomical shape of hand and fingers.
What matters is that the notes sound clear and without the buzz (and also that notes that are not supposed to sound, don't), that you avoid excessive muscle tension and you have freedom in placing the other fingers where they should be and that it doesn't prevent you from switching the chords smoothly.
Since there is such a discrepancy in the length of fingers between players - and the ratio of finger lengths for individuals - it matters not how much finger covers certain strings. As long as those stringss can be successfully pressed and sound, and other strings can also sound.
Also a large consideration must be the comfort afforded by your positioning. If it hurts, it's not good in the long term. There's also the fact that the majority of guitar players press way too hard, especially when barring chords like this.
Another option, frowned upon by classical guitarists, is to use the thumb over the top to fret that bottom string. With longer thumbs, it can be successful.
It may be worth experimenting to see if your shape hinders changing chords. Sometimes one particular shape makes moving from another shape to that, or that to another shape, not as fluid as it could be.
But if all is well, keep going at it. There cannot be the 'same 'ideal' way for all of us.
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