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F Major

The major scale (Ionian mode): seven notes following whole–whole–half–whole–whole–whole–half. The foundational scale of Western tonal music, with a bright, resolved character.

5C6D7E1F2G3A5C6D7E1F2G3A4B♭4B♭

Notes

1F
2G
3A
4B♭
5C
6D
7E

Common progressions

I–IV–V
F–B♭–C

The classic three-chord progression of rock, blues, and country.

I–V–vi–IV
F–C–Dm–B♭

The pop progression — heard in everything from "Don't Stop Believin'" to "Let It Be".

I–vi–IV–V
F–Dm–B♭–C

The 50s doo-wop progression ("Earth Angel", "Stand By Me").

vi–IV–I–V
Dm–B♭–F–C

The same chords as I–V–vi–IV, starting on the relative minor. Sounds wistful where I–V–vi–IV sounds uplifting.

ii7–V7–Imaj7
Gm7–C7–Fmaj7

The fundamental cadence of jazz harmony — m7 to dominant 7 to major 7.