About the F Major Scale (Ionian)
The F major scale is a 7-note scale. The foundation of Western music theory. Its notes are F, G, A, A#, C, D and E, built from the formula 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
- Notes
- F – G – A – A# – C – D – E
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- Steps
- W W H W W W H (2–2–1–2–2–2–1 semitones)
- Root
- F
F Major Scale (Ionian) degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | Root |
| 2 | G | Major 2nd |
| 3 | A | Major 3rd |
| 4 | A# | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | C | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | D | Major 6th |
| 7 | E | Major 7th |
Where to play the F Major Scale (Ionian) on guitar
Frets 0–12 in standard tuning (E A D G B E), lowest string first. Root notes (F) are highlighted; the pattern repeats from the 12th fret up.
| String | Frets |
|---|---|
| E2 | 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 |
| A2 | 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| D3 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 |
| G3 | 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 |
| B3 | 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11 |
| E4 | 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 |
How to practice the major scale
- Master the 3-note-per-string patterns
- Practice scale sequences (3rds, 4ths)
- Work on position shifts while playing
- Play over I-IV-V progressions
- Focus on resolving to the root note
Scales with the same notes as F Major Scale (Ionian)
These scales share every note with the F major scale but start from a different root, so the same shapes work over different chords.
Major scale in other keys
Other scales in F
- F Minor Pentatonic
- F Major Pentatonic
- F Mixolydian Pentatonic
- F Natural Minor
- F Blues
- F Dorian
- F Mixolydian
- F Phrygian
- F Harmonic Minor
- F Lydian
- F Locrian
- F Diminished (Half-Whole)
- F Diminished (Whole-Half)
- F Whole Tone
- F Augmented (Hexatonic)
- F Altered (Super Locrian)
- F Phrygian Dominant
- F Lydian Dominant
- F Mixolydian ♭6 (Hindu)
- F Bebop Dominant
- F Quartal (Stacked 4ths)
- F Quartal Minor (Stacked 4ths)