F is the F major chord. Its notes are F, A and C. A clear, stable sound. A natural home chord in a major key.
How to play F
Barre chord
fret 1, E shape
133211
Partial barre
fret 1
xx3211
Compact alternative
xx321x
Barre chord
fret 8, A shape
x-8-10-10-10-8
Barre tip: the long bar marked BARRE means one finger presses several strings at once. Lay it flat just behind the fret, press with the bony outer edge rather than the soft middle, and keep your thumb behind the neck. Pick each string one at a time and nudge the finger until none of them buzz. Still building strength? The partial barre shape is a good stepping stone.
Numbers show frets from the low E string to the high e string; x means don't play that string.
What's in F
F1
A3
C5
Formula
1 · 3 · 5
Also written
F, FM, Fmaj
Chord type
Major
Keys that use F
F is the I chord in F major, the IV chord in C major and the V chord in B♭ major. That makes it a natural fit in songs written in those keys.
F notes across the neck
Every F, A and C on the first 12 frets. The filled dots are the root, F. Build your own shape from any nearby group.