Notes and intervals of F major
- F1 · root
- A3 · major third
- C5 · perfect fifth
It's the basic chord of almost any song: it works as a point of arrival (the tonic) and as a passing chord.
Progressions with F
The basic progression: I – IV – V – I
With these three chords you can play along to hundreds of songs in F major.
The pop progression: I – V – vi – IV
It's the backbone of a huge number of ballads, pop songs and reggaeton hits.
Which keys contain F major?
F belongs to 6 keys: in each one it plays a different role depending on the degree (the Roman numeral).
| Key | Degree |
|---|---|
| C major | IV |
| F major | I |
| B♭ major | V |
| D natural minor | III |
| G natural minor | VII |
| A natural minor | VI |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F major chord?
F major (F) has 3 notes: F (root), A (major third), C (perfect fifth).
How do you play F major on guitar?
The most common shape uses a barre at fret 1: 1 3 3 2 1 1 (from the 6th to the 1st string). Barre fret 1 with your index finger, from the 6th to the 1st string. Place finger 3 (ring) on fret 3 of the 5th string (A). Place finger 4 (pinky) on fret 3 of the 4th string (D). Place finger 2 (middle) on fret 2 of the 3rd string (G).
What's the difference between F major and F minor?
Only the third changes: F major uses A, and F minor uses A♭. That note is what makes the chord sound bright (major) or darker (minor).
What is the chord symbol for F major?
It's written F; you'll also see FM or Fmaj. Chord notation uses letters for notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.