F major chord (F)
The F major chord (F) is a major triad made of F, A and C: root, major third and perfect fifth.
It is the I in F major and the IV in C major; its relative minor is D minor, and C dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play F major on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 1-3-3-2-1-1, barre at fret 1, with F in the bass (fingers 1-3-4-2-1-1).
- Voicing 2: x-8-10-10-10-8, barre at fret 8, with F in the bass (fingers x-1-3-3-3-1).
Notes of the F major chord on the fretboard
F major has 3 notes: F, A and C. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): F (1) · A (5) · C (8)
- String 5 (A): A (0) · C (3) · F (8) · A (12)
- String 4 (D): F (3) · A (7) · C (10)
- String 3 (G): A (2) · C (5) · F (10)
- String 2 (B): C (1) · F (6) · A (10)
- String 1 (E): F (1) · A (5) · C (8)
Formula and intervals of F major
Its formula is 1-3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-4-7.
- F: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- A: Major third (M3), 4 semitones above F
- C: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above F
F major on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 2-0-1-0; it sounds A, C, F and A.
F major on piano
- Keys: F4, A4 and C5.
Inversions of F major
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: F, A and C, with F in the bass.
- First inversion (F/A): A, C and F, with A in the bass.
- Second inversion (F/C): C, F and A, with C in the bass.
Keys that use F major
F major appears in 7 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| F major (1 flat) | I | Tonic |
| C major (no sharps or flats) | IV | Subdominant |
| B♭ major (2 flats) | V | Dominant |
| D minor (1 flat) | III | Mediant |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | VI | Submediant |
| G minor (2 flats) | VII | Subtonic |
| B♭ minor (harmonic minor, 5 flats) | V | Dominant |
Progressions with F major
- Pop progression in F major (I–V–vi–IV): F – C – Dm – B♭
- Pop progression starting on vi in F major (vi–IV–I–V): Dm – B♭ – F – C
- Three-chord progression in F major (I–IV–V): F – B♭ – C
- Turnaround in F major (I–vi–ii–V): F – Dm – Gm – C
- Minor pop progression in A minor (i–VI–III–VII): Am – F – C – G
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F major chord?
F, A and C: root, major third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-3-5.
Which keys use F major?
Mainly as the I in F major and the IV in C major. In total it appears in 7 major and minor keys.
What is the relative minor of F major?
D minor. F major and D minor are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.