F major scale on guitar
The F major scale has 7 notes: F, G, A, B♭, C, D and E. The major scale is the reference point for most Western music: bright, settled and the source of the “do re mi” sound. Every other scale on this site is easiest to understand as a change to it.
Notes in F major
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- Step pattern
- W – W – H – W – W – W – H
- Notes
- 7
Tap a note to hear it.
F major across the neck
Every F major note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, F. A good place to start: F on the low E string is at fret 1, so play the notes between frets 0 and 4 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from F |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | Root |
| 2 | G | Major 2nd |
| 3 | A | Major 3rd |
| 4 | B♭ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | C | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | D | Major 6th |
| 7 | E | Major 7th |
Chords in F major
Stack every other note of the scale and you get these triads. Any of them will sound “at home” with the F major scale.
H = half step (1 fret), W = whole step (2 frets). Roman numerals: uppercase is major, lowercase is minor, ° is diminished, + is augmented.
Related scales
- Its relative minor is D minor: the same seven notes, starting from the 6th note.
- Drop the 4th and 7th and you get F major pentatonic.
- Play the same notes from the 2nd note for G Dorian, or from the 5th for C Mixolydian.
Questions
What notes are in the F major scale?
F, G, A, B♭, C, D, E. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
Where do I start the F major scale on guitar?
F on the low E string is at fret 1, so play the notes between frets 0 and 4 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every F major note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to F major?
Its relative minor is D minor: the same seven notes, starting from the 6th note.
More scales
Major in every key
Other scales from F