Explore scales · Guitar
F major scale on guitar
F major uses the notes F, G, A, B♭, C, D, and E. Box 1 spans frets 1–3 and places the root on the sixth string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the F major scale on guitar?
F major in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 3, 12 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the low E string at fret 1, the D string at fret 3 and the high e string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 2, 3 | E, F |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3 | A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | C, D |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3 | F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F major in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 15 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to B♭ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the D string at fret 3 and the B string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5, 6 | D, E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F major in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 17 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 8 and the B string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 7, 8 | D, E, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6, 8 | E, F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
F major in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 13 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the A string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10, 11 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | C, D |
Box 5 · frets 10–13
F major in box 5 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 16 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the low E string at fret 13, the G string at fret 10 and the high e string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12, 13 | G, A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 11, 13 | A, B♭, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
Why it sounds like that
F major is built from the whole-step, whole-step, half-step, whole-step, whole-step, whole-step, half-step pattern. The F major pentatonic omits the fourth and seventh degrees. The B♭ and E add harmonic interest to the pentatonic core.
When to use it
F major fits F major and F 5th chords. It also works over the key's diatonic chords like B♭ major and C major. Use it for folk, pop, and classical melodies.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 6, fret 1 keeps the scale in first position.
Common questions
What notes are in the F major scale?
F major contains F, G, A, B♭, C, D, and E. The scale has one flat. It is a common key for wind instruments.
Which chords fit the F major scale?
F major works over F major and F 5th chords. It also fits B♭ major and C major. The seventh degree, E, leads strongly to F.
What is the relative minor of F major?
The relative minor of F major is D minor. Both scales share the same key signature of one flat. D minor starts on the sixth degree of F major.