The F major triad, more commonly called the F major chord or simply the F chord for short, consists of the notes F, A and C. Here it is on the bass clef staff:

Here is the above chord on the piano:

As a major triad, the F chord consists of a major third plus a minor third. The interval from F to A is a major third, while the interval between A and C is a minor third.

Inversions of the F Chord

If the root of the F chord – F – is the bass note (i.e., the bottom note), then the chord is in root position:

If the third of the chord – A – is the bottom note, then the chord is in first inversion:

If the fifth of the chord – C – is the bass note, then the chord is in second inversion. (C is called the fifth of the chord because the interval from the root F to C is a fifth.)

F Major Arpeggios

If the notes of a chord are played one after the other, the chord is said to be arpeggiated. Here are the standard fingerings for arpeggios of the F chord. Make sure you learn these fingerings!

(If you don’t understand the below notation, you should start with my How to Read Sheet Music course.)

F major arpeggio in root position:

F major arpeggio in first inversion:

F major arpeggio in second inversion: