Piano chords · Major chord
F piano chord (F major)
F is a major chord with 3 notes. It sounds bright and settled. Here's how to find it, play it and hear it.
F – A – C · tap any key to hear it
The notes of F
F is built from 3 notes (1 – 3 – 5):
- F, the root
- A, the major third
- C, the fifth
Every note is a white key, which makes F an easy chord to find and play.
Fingering
- Right hand: 1 on F, 3 on A, 5 on C.
- Left hand: 5 on F, 3 on A, 1 on C.
Press every key at exactly the same moment, with the same weight. If one note sounds louder or a fraction late, the chord sounds uneven: play it slowly and listen for one sound.
Inversions
An inversion is the same notes in a different order, with a different note at the bottom. Inversions let you move between chords without jumping around the keyboard.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top |
|---|---|
| Root position | F – A – C |
| 1st inversion | A – C – F |
| 2nd inversion | C – F – A |
Where F belongs
F is the I chord in F major, the IV chord in C major and the V chord in B♭ major. Its relative minor is Dm, which shares two of its notes.
Fm is the same chord with the middle note a half step lower (A becomes A♭), which turns it from bright to dark.
Hear it in a progression
F – C – Dm – B♭: I – V – vi – IV, the progression behind countless pop songs.
Playing it, but it doesn't sound right? Ivory listens to you play and tells you what's off: a note that's missing, a hand that lands late, a chord that's uneven. Then it shows you how it should go.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the F chord?
F (F major) is made of F, A and C: the root, major third and fifth.
How do you play F on piano?
With your right hand, use fingers 1 on F, 3 on A, 5 on C, and press them together. With your left hand: 5 on F, 3 on A, 1 on C.
What's the difference between F and Fm?
Fm is the same chord with the middle note a half step lower (A becomes A♭), which turns it from bright to dark.