How to Play an F Major Chord on the Piano

To play an F major chord, also called a triad, on the piano, you must first learn the key signature for the F major scale. There is one flat, which is not used because the flat occurs on the fourth note of the scale, and triads only include the first, third and fifth notes of the scale. However, more advanced chords are affected by the flat in the F major scale.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Right Hand

1. Place your thumb over an F key on the piano keyboard.

2. Go up a major third from F and place your middle finger over the A key.

3. Keep your first and third fingers in place and go up a perfect fifth from F and place your little finger over the C key.

4. Press all three fingers down at the same time to play the F major triad in root position.

5. Move your thumb over A, your index finger over C and your little finger over the F key an octave higher than your starting key. Press them down together to play the first inversion of the F major triad.

6. Re-position your fingers so your thumb is over C, your middle finger is over the F key used in the first inversion and your little finger is on the A key an octave higher than the A key used in the root position triad. Press them down together to play the second inversion of the F major triad.

Left Hand

7. Place your little finger over an F key on the piano.

8. Move up a major third from F and place your middle finger over the A key.

9. Go up a perfect fifth from F and place your thumb over the C key.

10. Press all three fingers down at the same time to play the root position of the F major triad.

11. Keep the same fingering from the root position chord but place your little finger on A, your middle finger on C and your thumb over the F key an octave above your starting key. Press the keys down at the same time to play the first inversion of the F major triad.

12. Re-position your fingers so that your little finger is over C, your index finger is over F from the first inversion and your thumb is over A an octave higher than the A key used in the root chord. Press them down together to play the second inversion of the F major triad.

Tips & Warnings

• The fifth note of all major chords, or triads, is the only note that stays the same throughout the first and second inversions. The first and third notes of the chord move up an octave during inversions.