How to play F (F Major) on Piano
Diagram, notes, and audio for the F chord on piano. Free in your browser.
About F on piano
F major on piano is F, A, and C — three white keys, just like C major. Right hand: thumb on F, middle finger on A, pinky on C. The chord lies one white key to the right of E and feels nearly identical under the hand to C major. The only difference is the parent scale: F major has one flat, Bb, instead of zero accidentals.
F is the I chord in the key of F major, the IV in C major, and the V in Bb major. In pop and rock, F is most often encountered as the IV in songs in C — every C-G-Am-F or F-C-G-Am loop relies on a clean F triad. Famous piano songs in F include the verse of Imagine and many jazz standards (Autumn Leaves modulates around F).
Voice leading from C to F on piano is one of the smoothest moves in Western harmony. Hold C, move E up to F, move G up to A. The result is a 2nd-inversion F (C-F-A) under a hand that barely moves. Reverse the motion to go back from F to C. This pair of voicings is the bedrock of hymn playing and the easiest way to make beginner accompaniment sound musical.
Frequently asked questions
- Is F major hard on piano?
- No — it's three white keys in the same shape as C major. F is much easier on piano than on guitar, where it requires a barre.
- What's the F major scale?
- F-G-A-Bb-C-D-E-F. One flat: Bb (the white key just to the left of B doesn't exist — Bb is the black key to the left of B).
- How do I move from C to F smoothly?
- Hold the thumb on C, move the middle finger from E up to F, and the pinky from G up to A. The result is F in 2nd inversion (C-F-A), with the smallest possible hand motion.
Switch instruments
See F on a different instrument — same chord, new diagram.