Scale reference
F major scale
F – G – A – B♭ – C – D – E
The F major scale runs F, G, A, B♭, C, D, E and then back to F. It follows the major step pattern — tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone — which is what makes it major rather than any other kind of scale.
It uses each letter name once, which is why it is written with 1 flat.
The notes
The step pattern
Every major scale uses the same sequence of steps. Change the starting note and the pattern is what you keep.
- F1tone
- G2tone
- A3semi
- B♭4tone
- C5tone
- D6tone
- E7semi
- F8
Scale degrees
| Degree | Note | Name | Interval from F | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | Tonic | Perfect unison | 0 |
| 2 | G | Supertonic | Major second | 2 |
| 3 | A | Mediant | Major third | 4 |
| 4 | B♭ | Subdominant | Perfect fourth | 5 |
| 5 | C | Dominant | Perfect fifth | 7 |
| 6 | D | Submediant | Major sixth | 9 |
| 7 | E | Leading tone | Major seventh | 11 |
Key signature
F major is the scale of the key of F major, which has 1 flat. The key page lists the seven chords built on these notes.