Guitar chord · Intermediate (barre)
F major chord (F) — guitar chord chart
F is a major chord built on F. Its notes are F, A, C. Major chords sound bright, stable and resolved — the home base of most pop, rock and folk songs.
F chord charts
Numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little). ○ open string, × don’t play. Low E string on the left.
How to play F
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 1, from the 6th string to the 1st string (the barre).
- Ring (3) on the 5th string, fret 3 (C).
- Little finger (4) on the 4th string, fret 3 (F).
- Middle (2) on the 3rd string, fret 2 (A).
- Strum all six strings.
- Pick the strings one at a time: each note should ring clearly — if one buzzes, move that finger closer to the fret.
No barre yet? Put a capo on fret 1 and play the open E shape — it sounds as F. Work out other positions with the capo calculator.
Notes in F
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | root |
| 3 | A | major 3rd |
| 5 | C | perfect 5th |
Progressions with F
Drill these changes with the chord-change trainer and read how to change chords faster.
FAQ
- What notes are in the F chord?
- F (F major) has 3 notes: F, A, C.
- Is F hard to play?
- It’s a barre chord, but with a capo on fret 1 you can use the open E shape instead. Expect a few weeks of practice for a clean barre.
- What’s the difference between F and Fm?
- Fm is F A♭ C. Major chords sound bright, stable and resolved — the home base of most pop, rock and folk songs.