Learning the F Major Scale
The F major scale contains F, G, A, Bb, C, D and E, and Bb is its only flat. The root sits on the 1st fret of the low E string, so the lowest box starts right beside the nut.
Reach the same notes higher up from the 8th fret of the A string. D minor is the relative minor. To tie the patterns together across the neck, work through two notes per string patterns.
Play the F major scale
Use the step menu in the player to switch between the single-string run and the box shapes.
Notes of the F major scale
| Note | Degree | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 1 | Root | 0 |
| G | 2 | Major 2nd | 2 |
| A | 3 | Major 3rd | 4 |
| Bb | 4 | Perfect 4th | 5 |
| C | 5 | Perfect 5th | 7 |
| D | 6 | Major 6th | 9 |
| E | 7 | Major 7th | 11 |
Structure
F major scale notes:
How the major scale is built:
The major scale is built from the degrees 1 2 3 4 5 6 7, which gives the step pattern W-W-H-W-W-W-H (W = whole step, H = half step).
Counting in semitones from the root: 0, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11. That makes it a 7-note scale.
It is the parent scale of its own modal family.
It is also known as Ionian.
F Major Scale Guitar Patterns
Static diagrams of every position shown in the player above.
On one string (low E)
Box pattern — position 1
Box pattern — position 2
Box pattern — position 3
Box pattern — position 4
Box pattern — position 5
3 notes per string — position 1
3 notes per string — position 2
3 notes per string — position 3
3 notes per string — position 4
3 notes per string — position 5
Chords in the F major scale
Stacking thirds on each degree of the scale gives these chords.
Related modes
These scales share the same notes as the major scale, starting from a different degree.
The major scale in other keys
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
