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F Major Chord

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{{Top-Level Crumbs|1}}{{Lesson Crumbs|1}}{{Beginner Lesson Crumbs|14}} The '''F Major major chord ''' consists of the F, A, and C notes. It is the '''IV chord ''' in the key of C Major.
== PreReqs ==
==Open Position F Major Chord==
{{crumbs|blue|1
|F Major Chord#Open Position F Major Chord|Open F
|F Major Chord#Harmonic Theory: Sub-Dominant Chord|Theory: Sub-Dominant}}
 
Here are the open position chord shapes for F major. Note, that although these chords are in open position, most of them do not use open strings, as E, D, G, B, and E are not part of the F major chord (F A C).
 
{|
! Root Pos. !! Barre !! 1st Inv. !! 2nd Inv.
|-
|
'''F''' ||i|-|-|-|
'''C''' ||i|-|-|-|
'''A''' ||-|m|-|-|
'''F''' ||-|-|r|-|
''' ''' ||-|-|-|-|
''' ''' ||-|-|-|-|
|
'''F''' ||i|-|-|-|
'''C''' ||i|-|-|-|
'''A''' ||)|m|-|-|
'''F''' ||)|-|p|-|
'''C''' ||)|-|r|-|
'''F''' ||i|-|-|-|
|
'''F''' ||i|-|-|-|
'''C''' ||i|-|-|-|
'''A''' ||-|m|-|-|
'''F''' ||-|-|r|-|
'''A''' o|-|-|-|-|
''' ''' ||-|-|-|-|
|
'''F''' ||i|-|-|-|
'''C''' ||i|-|-|-|
'''A''' ||-|m|-|-|
'''F''' ||-|-|p|-|
'''C''' ||-|-|r|-|
''' ''' ||-|-|-|-|
|}
 
The first chart shows the typical classical voicing, at least for beginners. Notice how the index finger is used on multiple frets. This is done by flattening the finger and using the fingerprint to cover two or sometimes even three strings.
fig 1 Alt 1 The next chart is a bit different, using the index on not only the 1st Inv and 2nd Inv |-|i|-|-|-| F |-|i|-|-|-| F |-|i|-|-|-| F |-|i|-|-|-| F |-|i|-|-|-| C |-|i|-|-|-| C |-|i|-|-|-| C |-|i|-|-|-| C |-|)|m|-|-| A |-|-|m|-|-| A |-|-|m|-|-| A |-|-|m|-|-| A |-|)|-|p|-| F |-|-|-|r|-| F |-|-|-|r|-| F |-|-|-|p|-| F |-|)|-|r|-| C |-|-|-|-|-| |o|-|-|-|-| A |-|-|-|r|-| C strings, but also the 6th. |-|i|-|-|-| F |-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-| |-|-|-|-|-| 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4 This is done by using a ''barre'' chord.
The first chart shows the classic rock position and fingering. Notice how the index finger is used on multiple frets. This is done by flattening the finger and using the fingerprint to cover two or sometimes even three strings. The first chart is a bit different, using the index on not only the 1st and 2nd strings, but also the 6th. This is done by using a ''barre chord''.{{top}}
=== First Barre Chord ===
'''Barre chords ''' are formed by flattening the index finger and using the entire finger to fret all or most of the strings. They are akin to moving the nut (or a capo) up the fretboard. Your other 3 fingers are able to form whatever shape is necessary to make virtually any chord desired. Barre chords are covered in depth in a [[Barre Chords|later lesson]].
This F chord contains a standard root-fifth-octave power chord in the bass, which gives it a stronger rock feel.
The Alt 1 is the classical way to play an ==Harmonic Theory: Sub-Dominant Chord=={{crumbs|blue|2|F Major chord. It drops the bass power chord, giving it a more focused feel on the strong major chord harmony.Chord#Open Position F Major Chord|Open F|F Major Chord#Harmonic Theory: Sub-Dominant Chord|Theory: Sub-Dominant}}
==Harmonic Theory: Sub-Dominant Chord==The F is a perfect fourth interval above C. In the key 4th note of the C Major, the scale. The F Major chord is thus called the '''IV chord ''' (that's the roman numeral four, not the letters 'Ivvi' and 'v'). Its notes are the perfect 4th, major 6th, and octave (tonic) above the tonic note of the key.
The transition C F A C - Notes B--1----6----10---13- |-P4-| \ |---M6----| > distances from a I chord to a IV chord involves moving the 3rd of the I chord up a half step to become the root of the IV chord and the 5th of the I up a whole step to become the 3rd tonic note of the IV. This is a stepwise motion for a minor third interval to a major third interval. For example, in the key of C Major, key |-----Oct------| / U \ |-M3-| > distances from the E and G root note of the I chord are a minor third. They ascend to F and A, a major third.chord |---P5----| /
The transition from a I chord to a IV chord involves moving the 3rd of the I chord (E) up a half step to become the root of the IV chord (F) and the 5th of the I (G) up a whole step to become the 3rd of the IV (A). This is a parallel stepwise motion for a minor third interval to a major third interval. ''That means each note moves one note in the scale in the same direction.'' For example, in the key of C Major, the E and G of the I chord are a minor third. They ascend to F and A, a major third. The root of the I chord is the 5th of the IV chord, requiring no change.
The transition from IV to I is just the reverse. Stepwise motion along a scale is natural progression, in either direction. The main tension is resolving the leading tone; however, neither the I nor IV chords have the leading tone. ThusOverall, motion between moving from the I and to IV in either direction moves chord creates tension, simply because we are moving away from the song along without creating tonic chord. Similarly, the IV - I progression tends to reduce tension. However, the IV chord is not as tense as the V chord, and the IV - I resolution is not as strong as V - I.
The overall effect All of the subnotes of the IV chord are 1 step away from the notes of the V chord. This makes the IV chord a natural choice to progress into the V chord, giving it a '''pre-dominant is very similar to the tonicfunction''' in terms of harmony. It sits in Tension increases from the middle of I to the dominant and tonicIV, able then further from the IV to transition between themthe V.
fig 2
C F/C C
I IV I eE--0-----1------0---- bB--1-----1------1---- gG--0-----2------0---- dD--2-----3------2---- aA--3-----3------3---- eE--------------------
Here we can hear the transition from I to IV and back to I. Rather peaceful, yes?
fig 3
C F/C G/B C
I IV V I eE--0-----1------3-----0---- bB--1-----1------0-----1---- gG--0-----2------0-----0---- dD--2-----3------0-----2---- aA--3-----3------2-----3---- eE--------------------------
And here is I - IV - V - I, a very basic chord progression. You can feel the tension increasing through the progression, finally relieved at the final I chord.
Notice I'm using inversions for the IV and V chord here. This is to keep the bassline rather static. When the bass jumps around too much, it's easy to focus on the bass note movement rather than the harmonic content of each chord. This is better voice leading as well.
 
{{top}}
== Homework ==
* Know that the F major chord consists of (F A C).
* Know that F major is the IV chord in the key of C Major, and that it has a sub-dominant function.
* Know that the IV chord is called the sub-dominant and can resolve to tonic or transition to dominant to increase tension.
* Learn the shapes for the open position F Major chord and get comfortable playing them.
* Practice the sample progressions, taking note of the tension that the IV chord creates.
* Compare the IV - I resolution to the V - I resolution.
 
==Q/A==
 
==Related Lessons==
* [[G 1st and 2nd Strings - Intervals]]* [[C Major Chord|Prev: ]]* [[G Major Chord]]* [[E Minor, D Minor, and A Minor Chords|Next: E Minor, D Minor, and A Minor ]]* [[Other Open String Chords]] {{top}}
{{Beginner Lesson Crumbs|14}}
[[Category:Guitar]]
[[Category:Harmony]]
[[Category:Open Position]]
[[Category:Notation]]