Part 4

The F Major Chord

Find a F major scale:-
remember 
C, C#, D, Eb, E,  F, F#, G, G#, A, Bb, B, C, C#, D, Eb,E, F, F#, G, G#, A, Bb, B, C,

start tone (F) :interval of two(G): interval of two(A) :interval of one(Bb)
gap of two (C) :interval of two(D): interval of two(E) :interval of one(F)

The F major scale is therefore F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F
Lets see if we can make up a F major triad


Major chord triad :- (1st) F,(  3rd) A,(  5th) C

Disregarding the fifth string for the moment
there are four strings available to make the F major chord.
Looking at the lowest available notes we have the following shapes

NOTE:that the pitch of the fretted first string and forth strings will indicate the Major chord name. This chord shape is a really useful one when used in backup. In many tunes the forth string is not actually played so many players don't fret the forth string but it is best practice to learn the chord on all four strings so that it can be played at all fret positions as a closed chord

Major to minor

A Minor chord consists of three notes, they are :-
the first, flattened third and fifth note of that scale:-
Notes from a F major scale F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F
(remember the major triad is:- (1st)F,  (3rd)A,  (5th)C )

The MINOR triad becomes  (1st)F,       (flatterned3rd) G#,    (5th)C

NOTE:that the pitch of the First string will indicate the Major chord name and that the third string is the third interval on the major scale so to change this chord form to a minor shape just flatten the third string one semitone

So learn the rule to change this Major chord form to a Minor just drop the third string one fret

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Moving the F shape Chord

This chord SHAPE often is called the F shape chord. It can be moved to all fret positions. . . . Remember it is the pitch of the first string that gives the major chord its name. Remember the first string goes D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, Bb, B, C, C#, D,- - -

. . . with the 1st string at the 5th Fret this shape produces a G chord. Many banjo players say things like play the F shape at the third fret

. . . At the Seventh Fret the first string pitch is A so this shape chord at the seventh fret produces an A major chord

. . . At the Tenth Fret the first string pitch is C so this shape chord at the tenth fret produces a C major chord

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