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Guitar Chords in the Key of F - Method 2

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The Key of F Major: Skip to chords Chords based on the F Major Scale: F, G, A, B flat, C, D, E and F

Note: It is recommended that you learn the basic chords in the key of C Major first, before learning any of the other keys, since the page for the key of C teaches the basic theory behind chord construction. More theory is included in the key of G lesson also. The rest of the lessons operate under the assumption that you already understand the theory presented in the first two lessons.

The basic chords for the key of F Major are based on the triad (1st, 3rd and 5th) except for the C 7th chord which is based on four different notes. The chords in the key of F are in the same order as presented in the other keys with the only difference being that it has been transposed to a new key. So, in order to transpose something from the key of C into the current key, all you need to do is use the chart of the same number. For example: the basic chords from chart 1 in the key of C can be transposed to the basic chords in the key of F by using chart 1 of the key of F. The same is true for the remaining chord charts 2 through 5.

The key of F has one flat. That is the B flat.

Chart 1: The Basic chords in the key of F

Chord: F Major Numeric: 133211 Fingering: 134211     1st Fret is barred
Chord: G Minor Numeric: 355333 Fingering: 134111    3rd Fret is barred
Chord: A Minor Numeric: X02210 Fingering: X02310
Chord: B Flat Major Numeric: X13331 Fingering: X12341    1st Fret is barred
Chord: C Major Numeric: X32010 Fingering: X32010
Chord: D Minor Numeric: XX0231 Fingering: XX0231
Chord: C 7th Numeric: X35353 Fingering: X13141   3rd Fret is barred

Skip to chords You have some substitute chords below in the next chart. The same rules apply in this key that you have already applied from the previous keys.

Chart 2: Some substitute chords for the key of F

Chord: F Major 7th Numeric: X03210 Fingering: X03210
Chord: G Minor 7th Numeric: 353333 Fingering: 131111    3rd Fret is barred
Chord: A Minor 7th Numeric: X02010 Fingering: X02010
Chord: B Flat Major 7th Numeric: X13231 Fingering: X13241   1st Fret is barred
Chord: D Minor 7th Numeric: XX0211 Fingering: XX0211     1st Fret is barred

Skip to chords Now let's move on to the 9th chords. Notice that on the C 9th chord we use double digits in the fret numbers in the numeric chart. Numeric charts that contain double digit fret numbers will have the fret numbers separated by commas.

Chart 3: More substitute chords for the key of F

Chord: F Major 9th Numeric: X03553 Fingering: X01341     3rd Fret is barred
Chord: G Minor 9th Numeric: 353335 Fingering: 131114   3rd Fret is barred
Chord: B Flat Major 9th Numeric: X10211 Fingering: X10423
Chord: D Minor 9th Numeric: X57560 Fingering: X14230
Chord: C 9th Numeric: 8, 10, 8, 9, 8, 10 Fingering: 131214   8th Fret is barred

Skip to chords Okay, let's move on to the suspended 2nd and suspended 4th chords.

Chart 4: Even more substitute chords for the key of F

Chord: D Suspended  2nd Numeric: XX0230 Fingering: XX0130
Chord: D Suspended  4th Numeric: XX0233 Fingering: XX0134
Chord: G Suspended  2nd Numeric: XX5785 Fingering: XX1341   5th Fret is barred
Chord: G Suspended  4th Numeric: 355533 Fingering: 123411   3rd Fret is barred
Chord: A Suspended  4th Numeric: X02230 Fingering: X02340

The Key of D Minor: Chords based on the D Harmonic Minor Scale

Explanation: Skip to Chords The relative minor key to the Key of F is D Minor. The following chords in Chart 5 are based on the D Harmonic Minor Scale. The D Harmonic Minor Scale is comprised of the following notes:  D, E, F, G, A, B flat, C sharp and D
 

Chart 5: The basic chords in the key of D Minor

Chord: D Minor Numeric: XX0231 Fingering: XX0231
Chord: E Diminished Numeric: XX2323 Fingering: XX1314   2nd Fret is barred
Chord: F Augmented Numeric: XX3221 Fingering: XX4231
Chord: G Minor Numeric: 355333 Fingering: 134111    3rd Fret is barred
Chord: A Major Numeric: X02220 Fingering: X02340
Chord: B Flat Major Numeric: X13331 Fingering: X12341    1st Fret is barred
Chord: C Sharp Diminished Numeric: X45343 Fingering: X23141   3rd Fret is barred

Explanation: Skip to 6th chords

The thing to remember about diminished chords is that they can be referred to by any note that is contained within them. For example: The G Sharp Diminished Chord contains a G sharp, B, D and an F. There fore, it could also be referred to as a B Diminished, D Diminished, or an F Diminished chord in sheet music with guitar chord charts. The same rule also applies to augmented chords.

 

The 6th Chord:

Explanation: Skip to chords

Some of you may have noticed that a sixth chord also has the same notes contained within them as its relative minor 7th. For example a C 6th has the same notes as an A Minor 7th. The only difference is usually the root tone. A C 6th has the following notes in this order: C, E, G, and A. An A Minor 7th has A, C, E and G. Notice that they have the same notes, just a different starting point.

 

Chart 6: Major and Minor 6th chords

Chord: F 6th Numeric: XX3535 Fingering: XX1314   3rd Fret is barred
Chord: G Minor 6th Numeric: XX2333 Fingering: XX1333    3rd Fret is barred
Chord: B Flat 6th Numeric: X13333 Fingering: X13333   3rd Fret is barred
Chord: C 6th Numeric: X35555 Fingering: X13333   5th Fret is barred

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