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Chord · Reference entry

F Major 6

Major 6 · F – A – C – D · intervals 1-3-5-6

The F Major 6 chord (F6) contains the notes F, A, C, and D. Its interval formula is Root - Major 3rd - Perfect 5th - Major 6th. A major triad plus the 6th — softer and jazzier than a plain triad, common in ballads and standards.

At the keyboard

F · A · C · D
Flashcards · Chord
Three questions on F Major 6
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F6

The F Major 6 chord is a four-note chord made up of F, A, C, and D.

Construction

F Major 6 = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 6th = F · A · C · D
NoteIntervalDegree
FRoot1
AMajor 3rd3
CPerfect 5th5
DMajor 6th6

F Major 6 Inversions

F Major 6 piano chord, 1st inversion — A, C, D, F
The F Major 6 chord, 1st inversion, on a piano keyboard.
F Major 6 piano chord, 2nd inversion — C, D, F, A
The F Major 6 chord, 2nd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
F Major 6 piano chord, 3rd inversion — D, F, A, C
The F Major 6 chord, 3rd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
PositionNotes
Root PositionF – A – C – D
1st InversionA – C – D – F
2nd InversionC – D – F – A
3rd InversionD – F – A – C

Key Signature

A chord has no key signature of its own, but the F Major 6 is the tonic (I) chord of F Major, whose key signature has 1 flat (B♭).

B♭

Order of flats

Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.

BEADGCF

Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father

Chords in the Key of F Major

These are the triads built on each degree of the F major scale:

C1C2C3C4FACC6C7C8
IF Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1IF MajorMajor
2iiG MinorMinor
3iiiA MinorMinor
4IVA♯ MajorMajor
5VC MajorMajor
6viD MinorMinor
7vii°E DiminishedDiminished

Same Notes, Other Names

The notes F – A – C – D aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:

F Major 6 — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the F Major 6 chord on piano?
The F Major 6 chord contains the notes F – A – C – D. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the F Major 6 chord?
F6 contains: F, A, C, D. Major triad with major sixth. All white keys.
How does F6 differ from Fmaj7?
F6 has D (sixth). Fmaj7 has E (seventh).
How does F6 differ from Dm7?
Same four notes, different root.
How is F6 used?
Vintage jazz, swing, country. All white keys — easy to play.
What songs use Major 6th?
Swing era, country, Hawaiian.
Can I substitute F6 for F Major?
Yes — warmer tonic.

Related Tools

Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.

References & Further Reading

The note names, intervals, fingering, and harmony on this chord page are grounded in the following sources. Public domain treatises and scores are linked to their full text; primary data is piano.org's own interval-derived reference dataset — continuously maintained and human-verified, with no fixed publication date.

  1. 1

    Prout, Ebenezer(1889)

    Harmony: Its Theory and Practice

    Public domain treatise
  2. 2

    Goetschius, Percy(1889)

    The Material Used in Musical Composition

    Public domain treatise
  3. 3

    J. S. Bach(1723)

    Two-Part Invention in F major, BWV 779

    Public domain score
  4. 4

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Entry reviewed and maintained by Justin Evans. Corrections are read and applied.Report an error

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