Explore chords · Ukulele
F chord on ukulele (F major)
Also called or written F, Fmaj, FM or F chord
F major contains F, A and C. The 3rd fret shape is an intermediate grip that mutes the G string and uses three fretted notes.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5
How do you play an F major chord on ukulele?
F major is played at the 3rd fret as × 5 5 3: middle finger on the C string at fret 5, ring finger on the E string at fret 5 and index finger on the A string at fret 3. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | F (1) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 3 | A (3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (5) |
IntermediateThe 3rd fret shape requires muting the G string while fretting three other strings, which can be tricky for intermediate players.
F/A inversion
F major is played at the 8th fret as 10 9 8 8: pinky finger on the G string at fret 10, ring finger on the C string at fret 9, index finger on the E string at fret 8 and middle finger on the A string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 4 | F (1) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 3 | A (3) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (5) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 2 | F (1) |
F/C inversion · A on top
F major is played in open position as 2 0 1 0: middle finger on the G string at fret 2 and index finger on the E string at fret 1. The C and A strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (3) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (5) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (3) |
F/C inversion · C on top
F major is played in open position as 2 0 1 3: middle finger on the G string at fret 2, index finger on the E string at fret 1 and ring finger on the A string at fret 3. The C string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (3) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (5) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (5) |
3rd fret · 5-5-5-3
F major is played at the 3rd fret as 5 5 5 3: middle finger on the G string at fret 5, ring finger on the C string at fret 5, pinky finger on the E string at fret 5 and index finger on the A string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 2 | C (5) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 3 | F (1) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 4 | A (3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (5) |
Why it sounds like that
F major is built from the root, major third and perfect fifth — 1, 3, 5. The major third A gives the chord its bright quality. Lower that third by one semitone to A♭ and you get F minor.
What goes wrong with F major?
- Letting the G string ring out and add a non-chord tone.
- Not pressing the C and E strings firmly enough, causing a buzz.
- Accidentally muting the A string with the index finger.
When to use it
F major is the tonic in F major, heard in progressions like F–B♭–C, the I–IV–V–I. It also fits the I–V–vi–IV in F major: F–C–D minor–B♭. Use it for pop, folk and songs in flat keys. Compare F 5th for a leaner two-note sound.
Changing to and from F major
- Move to G major by shifting the whole shape up two frets, keeping the same finger pattern.
- Slide the 3rd fret shape down one fret to the 2nd fret to reach E major.
Which voicing to use
The 3rd fret shape is the default, but the 8th fret shape is easier for some players because it uses all four strings. The F/A inversion puts the third in the bass for a smoother voice leading into B♭ major.
Other F chords
Common questions
How is F major written?
F major is written as F, Fmaj or FM.
What is the difference between F major and F minor?
F major has a major third, A, while F minor has a minor third, A♭. This changes the chord from bright to sombre.
Why is the G string muted in the 3rd fret F major shape?
The open G string is not a chord tone, so it is muted to keep the chord clean and avoid an outside note.