Chords in the key of F major
The key of F major has the notes F, G, A, B♭, C, D, and E and the chords F, Gm, Am, B♭, C, Dm, and E°. As seventh chords: F7M, Gm7, Am7, B♭7M, C7, Dm7, and Em7(♭5). Key signature: 1 flat (B♭). Relative minor: D minor.
- F
- G
- A
- B♭
- C
- D
- E
Chords in F major
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | F | F7M | tonic |
| ii | Gm | Gm7 | subdominant |
| iii | Am | Am7 | tonic |
| IV | B♭ | B♭7M | subdominant |
| V | C | C7 | dominant |
| vi | Dm | Dm7 | tonic |
| vii° | E° | Em7(♭5) | dominant |
Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.
The chords of F major on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (F, Am, and Dm) feels at rest; subdominant (Gm and B♭) moves away from home; dominant (C and E°) builds tension and wants to go back to F.
Common progressions in F major
Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.
-
The pop progression
I–V–vi–IVThe most used sequence in pop and country: it works under almost any melody.
-
50s progression
I–vi–IV–VThe "doo-wop": from 1950s ballads to today's romantic pop.
-
Jazz IIm–V–I
ii7–V7–Imaj7The most important cadence in jazz and bossa nova.
-
The three chords
I–IV–VI–IV–V: the foundation of rock, blues, country and folk.
-
Sentimental pop
vi–IV–I–VThe pop progression starting on the relative minor: emotional, chorus-ready.
Relative and parallel keys
Relative minor: D minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (1 flat (B♭)).
Parallel key: F minor, with the same tonic and the other mode. Switching between them mid-song changes the mood without moving the home note.
Neighbours on the circle of fifths: B flat major (a fifth below) and C major (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
F major is highlighted. Clockwise, each step goes up a fifth and adds a sharp; counter-clockwise, a flat. The relative minors are on the inside. Tap a key to see its chords.
Scales and tools for F major
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of F major?
F, Gm, Am, B♭, C, Dm, and E°. As seventh chords: F7M, Gm7, Am7, B♭7M, C7, Dm7, and Em7(♭5).
What is the relative of F major?
D minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 1 flat (B♭).
What is the key signature of F major?
F major has 1 flat (B♭) in its key signature.
What is the dominant chord in F major?
It is C (or C7 with the seventh), the V chord. It builds tension and resolves to F, the tonic.
What chord progressions work in F major?
The most common: I–V–vi–IV: F C Dm B♭; I–vi–IV–V: F Dm B♭ C; ii7–V7–Imaj7: Gm7 C7 F7M; I–IV–V: F B♭ C; vi–IV–I–V: Dm B♭ F C.