F Major scale
The F Major scale is a 7-note major scale built on the root F. Its notes are F, G, A, B♭, C, D and E. Bright, stable and resolved. The starting point of Western tonal music. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make F Major a great tool for improvising and composing.
The major scale is where Western music starts. You'll hear it everywhere - pop hits, classical symphonies, hymns, country ballads, anything that wants to sound bright, hopeful, or triumphant. Built on the root F, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where F is a comfortable tonal centre.
- Notes
- F · G · A · B♭ · C · D · E
- Formula
- 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7M
- Step pattern
- W W H W W W H
- Tonic
- F
F Major on the piano
F Major on the guitar
F Major on the staff
Hear the F Major scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the F Major scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | F | |
| 2 | 2M | 2 | G | |
| 3 | 3M | 4 | A | |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | B♭(Bb) | |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | C | |
| 6 | 6M | 9 | D | |
| 7 | 7M | 11 | E |
Diatonic chords of F Major
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
Modes from F Major
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the F Major scale
The diatonic chords of F Major are: I = F, ii = Gm, iii = Am, IV = B♭, V = C, vi = Dm, vii° = E°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in F Major. Click any chord below to open its full diagram and progressions.
The major scale is where Western music starts. You'll hear it everywhere - pop hits, classical symphonies, hymns, country ballads, anything that wants to sound bright, hopeful, or triumphant.
Practice tips
Run the major scale through one octave with strict alternate-picking or alternating fingers. Then sing each degree with solfège (do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do) to get the sound in your head.
Famous songs in F Major
These well-known tracks all use the F Major scale.
- 1Hey JudeThe Beatles
- 2Stand By MeBen E. King
- 3YesterdayThe Beatles
- 4Lean On MeBill Withers
- 5What a Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrong
Famous songs
Songs and pieces that use F Major include “Yesterday” - The Beatles; “Don’t Stop Believin’” - Journey. Studying these examples is one of the fastest ways to internalise the scale’s sound.
Formula & step pattern
The F Major scale follows the W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern of whole and half steps. Step pattern: W - W - H - W - W - W - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6M · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Questions people ask
- What notes are in the F Major scale?
- The F Major scale contains F, G, A, B♭, C, D and E.
- What is the formula for the F Major scale?
- F Major follows the W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern of whole and half steps.
- Is F Major a major or minor scale?
- F Major is a major scale. Bright, stable and resolved. The starting point of Western tonal music.
- What chords belong to the F Major scale?
- The diatonic chords of F Major are F, Gm, Am, B♭, C, Dm, E°.
- Which genres use F Major?
- The major scale is where Western music starts. You'll hear it everywhere - pop hits, classical symphonies, hymns, country ballads, anything that wants to sound bright, hopeful, or triumphant.
- What is the relative key of F Major?
- The relative key of F Major shares the same notes but starts on a different root. It's built on a different degree of the scale and gives the same key signature a contrasting tonal centre.
- What is the parallel key of F Major?
- The parallel key of F Major shares the same root (F) but a different mode, swapping bright for the opposite character.
- How do I practise the F Major scale?
- Run the major scale through one octave with strict alternate-picking or alternating fingers. Then sing each degree with solfège (do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do) to get the sound in your head.