F Music Note: The Complete Guide to the Note and Key

As one of the twelve notes in Western music, the F music note sits between E and F#/Gb. Learn how to recognise F in different clefs, the different scales and modes that start on F and listen to famous songs that feature F prominently in their melodies.

F Note on The Staff

Here is probably the most common F you’ll see. It sits on the first space of the treble clef and is the F above middle C.

Below are different Fs that you will see on the treble and bass clef. Remember that we can play F notes an octave higher or lower from the F above middle C. This means that technically there are infinite F notes to choose from!

Below are notes that are enharmonically equivalent to F. E sharp means one half-step above E, which is a F. G double flat means two half steps below G, which is also F.

F Note on the Piano and Keyboard

F sits between the E and F#/Gb keys on the keyboard. The black keys move in groups of two then three. The F note is the white key before group of 3 black notes.

You might also remember it as the fourth white key above C. This is because F is a perfect 4th above C.

F Note Accidentals

We can add accidental signs to a F note and these are shown below. Remember that all these notes (with the exception of F natural) are not enharmonically equivalent to F.

F Music Notes in Different Clefs

Here are typical F notes that you will see in different clefs. Some are lower or higher and for more on how to name the different F notes, check out our post on octaves.

Treble Clef – F

The F above middle C (F4) sits on the first space of the treble clef.

Bass Clef – F

The F below middle C (F3) sits on the fourth line of the bass clef.

Alto Clef – F

The F above middle C (F4) sits on fourth space of the alto clef.

Tenor Clef – F

The F below middle C (F3) sits on the second line of the tenor clef.

Mezzo-soprano Clef – F

The F above middle C (F4) sits on the third space of the mezzo-soprano clef.

Soprano Clef – F

The F above middle C (F4) sits on the second space of the soprano clef.

Baritone Clef – F

The F below middle C (F3) sits on the third line of the baritone clef.

Popular Scales starting on F

F Major

The major scale formula is W-W-H-W-W-W-H, where W= whole step and H = half step. Below is the F major scale.

F Natural Minor

The natural minor formula is W-H-W-W-H-W-W. Below is the F natural minor scale.

F Harmonic Minor

The harmonic minor formula is W – H – W – W – H – W1/2 – H. Note that this scale has a three semitone step or a whole-step-and-a-half.

F Melodic Minor

When ascending the melodic minor scale follows this pattern: W-H-W-W-W-W-H.

When descending it follows the natural minor pattern.

Modes Starting on F

Below are the modes that start on F.

Frequency of F Music Note

Using the equal temperament tuning system, the A above middle C is 440 Hz. This means that the F above middle C would be approximately 349 Hz.

Solfege F Note

In the solfege system, the syllables Do, Re Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si are used to refer to the notes names, C, D, E , F, G, A, B.

The F music note in solfege is referred to as ‘Fa’,

What’s Next…?

• Learn about Chords in the Key of F Major
• Learn about more music notes with our music theory basics guides.