F, major chord
F, A and C
- Root
- F
- Major third
- A
- Perfect fifth
- C
Formula
1 3 5 (4, 7 half steps above F)
Fingering in root position
| Notes | F | A | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
F major inversions
F major has 2 inversions. Each one keeps the same notes and puts a different one at the bottom, so your hand can stay close to the chord before or after it.
F
Root position
| Notes | F | A | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
F/A
First inversion
| Notes | A | C | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
F/C
Second inversion
| Notes | C | F | A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Keys with F major
Roman numerals give a chord's place in a key: capitals for major chords, small letters for minor, ° for diminished. F major appears as:
- I in F major
- IV in C major
- V in B♭ major
- VI in A minor
- V in B♭ minor
- III in D minor
- VII in G minor
How F major is built
F is the root, A the major third and C the perfect fifth.
A major chord is a root, the major third 4 half steps above it and the perfect fifth 7 half steps above it. Lower the middle note by one key and F major becomes F minor.
Every chord takes every other letter of the alphabet, so the letters of F major are F, A, C. That is why it is spelled F, A and C.
Find F major yourself
Without looking at the diagrams, find the chord on the keyboard, then each inversion. Saying the notes out loud as you tap them helps them stick.
Step 1 of 3
Tap the notes of F major, in any octave and any order.
Practice F major in real music
MasterPiano gives you new music to read at your level and listens as you play, through a MIDI keyboard or your device's microphone, marking each note right or wrong.
Start freeQuestions
What notes are in the F major chord?
F major (F) has three notes: F, A and C. F is the root, A the major third and C the perfect fifth.
What fingers do you use for F major on piano?
In root position, play F, A and C with right hand fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger and little finger) and left hand fingers 5, 3 and 1. The fingers change a little in each inversion; every inversion on this page shows its own.
What are the inversions of F major?
F major has 2 inversions, one for each note other than the root at the bottom. First inversion (F/A): A, C and F. Second inversion (F/C): C, F and A.
What key is F major in?
F major is I in F major, its home key. It also appears as IV in C major, V in B♭ major, VI in A minor, V in B♭ minor and III in D minor.