stringery

F major

The do-re-mi scale everything else is measured against. Major family

Bright, familiar, resolved.

Root position3 of 5

571012

Square: the root. In colour: the major 3rd, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. FRW
  2. G2W
  3. A3H
  4. B♭4W
  5. C5W
  6. D6W
  7. E7H

Every step is a whole step except two half steps, after the 3rd and the 7th. That pattern is the sound of 'home' in most music you know.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckF major

12345GCEA571012234567R2567R23457R23456734567R23
12345GCEA571012234567R2567R23457R23456734567R23

Position 3 is outlined, frets 5 to 8. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The F major key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. FI
  2. Gmii
  3. Amiii
  4. B♭IV
  5. CV
  6. Dmvi
  7. Edimvii°

Its neighbours on the circle of fifths Capo and transpose

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • D minor

    Same notes, but home is D: sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

  • G dorian

    Same notes, but home is G: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • C mixolydian

    Same notes, but home is C: major and laid-back, with swagger.

  • B♭ lydian

    Same notes, but home is B♭: floating, magical, wide-eyed.

  • A phrygian

    Same notes, but home is A: dark, spanish, menacing.