F major scale on piano
The F major scale on piano has 7 notes: F, G, A, B flat, C, D, and E (F, G, A, B♭, C, D, E). It uses 1 black key: B♭. Standard fingering going up one octave: right hand 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4; left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1.
- F 1
- G 2
- A 3
- B♭ B flat 4
- C 5
- D 6
- E 7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (F) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the F major scale
| Note | F | G | A | B♭ | C | D | E | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Left hand | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Two octaves: Right hand: 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4 · Left hand: 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1
This is the standard fingering from piano method books (the same as in ABRSM exams), going up; to come down, retrace it. Practice each hand separately and slowly before putting them together. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- F
- W
- G
- W
- A
- H
- B♭
- W
- C
- W
- D
- W
- E
- H
- F
Degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. Steps: W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the major scale
The foundation of Western music (Ionian mode). Happy and stable; the chords of the major key come from it.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | F | F7M | tonic |
| IIm | Gm | Gm7 | subdominant |
| IIIm | Am | Am7 | tonic |
| IV | B♭ | B♭7M | subdominant |
| V | C | C7 | dominant |
| VIm | Dm | Dm7 | tonic |
| VII° | E° | Em7(b5) | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
Relative minor: D minor scale . Same notes, different center.
More F scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Major in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the F major scale?
The notes of the F major scale are F, G, A, B flat, C, D, and E. It uses 1 black key: B♭.
What is the fingering for the F major scale on piano?
Going up one octave: right hand 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4 and left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1. Over two octaves: right hand 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4 and left hand 5-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1.
What is the formula of the F major scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7. In steps between notes: W – W – H – W – W – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the F major scale?
The chords of the key are F, Gm, Am, B♭, C, Dm, E°. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.