F Major Piano Chord
Root
F3rd
A5th
CE
G
B
D
F
F
A
C
E
F
A
C
The Notes in an F Major Chord
The Root
You'll have no trouble finding the root of an F Major chord, because it's what gives an F Major chord it's name: It's the note F.
The 3rd
The third of an F Major chord is A. The third is up four half-steps from the Root.
Finding A from F step by step:
- Start on: F
- Step 1: move up to Gb
- Step 2: move up to G
- Step 3: move up to Ab
- Step 4: Land on A
3rd
ARoot
F1
2
3
- Gb is a minor second above F.
- G is a major 2nd above F.
- Ab is a minor third above F.
- A is a major third above F.
The 5th
The fifth of an F Major chord is C. The fifth is down five half-steps from the Root.
Finding C from F step by step:
- Start on: F
- Step 1: move down to E
- Step 2: move down to Eb
- Step 3: move down to D
- Step 4: move down to Db
- Step 5: Land on C
5th
CRoot
F1
2
3
4
- E is a minor second below F.
- Eb is a major 2nd below F.
- D is a minor third below F.
- Db is a major third below F.
- C is a fourth below F. The 5th is down a fourth? Confusing, right? The note C is down 5 half-steps from F, but up 7 half-steps from F:
5th
CRoot
F1
2
3
4
5
6
The Inversions of F Major
Root Position
Root
F3rd
A5th
CE
G
B
D
F
F
A
C
E
F
A
C
1st Inversion
3rd
A5th
CRoot
FE
G
B
D
F
F
A
C
E
A
C
F
2nd Inversion
5th
CRoot
F3rd
AE
G
B
D
F
F
A
C
E
C
F
A