What is the relative minor of F major?

D minor — it shares the same key signature (one flat) and starts on the 6th degree of the F major scale.

What are the chords in the key of F major?

F major (I), G minor (ii), A minor (iii), Bb major (IV), C major (V), D minor (vi), and E diminished (vii°).

Key of F major — notes, key signature, and chords

F major has one flat — Bb — and is the first key on the flat side of the circle of fifths. It is a common key for woodwinds (especially clarinet and bassoon) and shows up everywhere from baroque concertos to country ballads. Its scale is the white-key C major scale with every B lowered to Bb.

Key signature

1flat

1.B♭

Added in the standard order of flats.

Diatonic chords

The seven triads built on each scale degree. These are the chords you hear used most in F major:

Roman	Chord	Quality	Notes
I	F	major	F · A · C
ii	Gm	minor	G · Bb · D
iii	Am	minor	A · C · E
IV	Bb	major	Bb · D · F
V	C	major	C · E · G
vi	Dm	minor	D · F · A
vii°	E°	diminished	E · G · Bb

Common progressions

F major's I–V–vi–IV (F–C–Dm–Bb) is one of the most-used progressions in popular music. The ii–V–I (Gm–C–F) is the standard jazz cadence in this key. F major sits one step counter-clockwise from C on the circle of fifths, so it modulates naturally to C major (its dominant key) and to Bb major (its subdominant).

Relative minor

The relative minor of F major is D minor — it shares the same key signature, just centred on the 6th degree of the F major scale (D). A piece can move between F major and D minor freely without any change of accidentals.

Common mistakes

The trap in F major is forgetting the Bb — every B in the score is flat unless cancelled. Beginners on guitar sometimes try to play F major as a single open chord, but there is no fully open voicing; the F barre chord (E-shape on fret 1) or a partial Fmaj7 voicing is more common. Don't confuse F major (one flat) with F# major (six sharps) — they're neighbours by name only.

Drill it

The Circle of Fifths trainer drills every key signature — F major included — with timed flash cards and best-time tracking.

Open the Circle of Fifths Trainer →Or try today's Etudle puzzle

Frequently asked

How many flats does F major have?: F major has one flat: Bb.
What are the notes in the F major scale?: F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E.
What is the relative minor of F major?: D minor — it shares the same key signature (one flat) and starts on the 6th degree of the F major scale.
What are the chords in the key of F major?: F major (I), G minor (ii), A minor (iii), Bb major (IV), C major (V), D minor (vi), and E diminished (vii°).