F bass chord

How to play F on bass

The most common way, the first shape above: your index finger on the E string at the 1st fret, your ring finger on the A string at the 3rd fret, your little finger on the D string at the 3rd fret and your middle finger on the G string at the 2nd fret.

From the E string 1 3 3 2 (x: not played, 0: open)

What notes are in F?

F, F major, is F, A and C: the root (F), the major third (A) and the perfect fifth (C). Its formula is 1 3 5.

What is the difference between F and Fm?

One note. F has the major third, A; Fm lowers it a half step to A♭. That one note turns the bright sound of a major chord into the darker sound of a minor one.

Can I play F5 instead?

F5, the power chord, is F and C with no third, so it is neither major nor minor. It stands in for F in rock, especially with distortion, where a full chord can sound muddy.

Keys with F

F is the IV chord in C major, the I chord in F major, the V chord in B♭ major, the III chord in D minor, the VII chord in G minor and the VI chord in A minor, and the V of B♭ minor, the major fifth chord from its harmonic minor scale.