F Major Key: Chords & Progressions
In this lesson, we explore the F major scale and the diatonic 7th chords that exist within the key.
The word diatonic simply means that the notes belong to the key. By building a 7th chord from each note of the F major scale, we can see the family of chords that naturally occurs within F major.
We’ll also use these chords to explore some of the most important progressions in jazz, including the 2-5-1 and 3-6-2-5-1 progression.
What You’ll Learn In This Lesson
In this beginner jazz piano lesson, you’ll learn:
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How to play the F major scale over one and two octaves
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How to build the diatonic 7th chords in F major
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The chord quality associated with each scale degree
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How to identify major, minor, dominant, and -7b5 chords
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How to begin spreading 7th chords across both hands
- How the diatonic chords form common jazz progressions such as the 2-5-1 and 3-6-2-5-1
The F Major Scale
We begin by playing the F major scale over one octave and then over two octaves. When practicing scales, focus on two things:
Evenness of tone
Each note should sound balanced, without certain fingers producing noticeably louder or softer notes.
Evenness of timing
Aim for a steady pulse so that every note is spaced evenly.
The scale gives us the foundation for understanding all of the chords that belong to the key.
Building The Diatonic 7th Chords
We can build a 7th chord from each note of the F major scale. The diatonic 7th chords in the key of F are:
1 chord – Fmaj7
2 chord – Gm7
3 chord – Am7
4 chord – B♭maj7
5 chord – C7
6 chord – Dm7
7 chord – Em7♭5
These chord qualities follow the same pattern in every major key.
The 1 and 4 chords are major 7th chords.
The 2, 3, and 6 chords are minor 7th chords.
The 5 chord is a dominant 7th chord.
The 7 chord is a minor 7 flat 5 chord.
You will encounter this same sequence of chord qualities in every major key. Learning this pattern makes it much easier to understand harmony as you start studying jazz standards in different keys.
At a more advanced level, some of these chord qualities can be altered. For example, minor chords are often changed into dominant chords in jazz standards.
For now, however, focus on learning the basic diatonic chord qualities before exploring these variations.
Think In Scale Degrees
Rather than seeing each chord as an isolated shape, learn to think in terms of its scale degree.
For example:
Fmaj7 = 1
Gm7 = 2
Am7 = 3
B♭maj7 = 4
C7 = 5
Dm7 = 6
Em7♭5 = 7
Thinking numerically helps you recognize the same harmonic relationships when you move into other keys.
The notes will change, but the function and quality of the chords remain consistent.
Spread The Chords Across Two Hands
Playing all four notes of a 7th chord closely together can sometimes sound heavy, particularly in the lower registers of the piano. A more balanced approach is to spread the chord tones between both hands.
A useful starting exercise is to place the root in the left hand and play the 3rd and 7th in the right hand. This begins to introduce the sound and hand coordination used in many jazz piano voicings. It also helps you become more familiar with the most important notes that define each chord.
Common Jazz Piano Progressions
Once you are comfortable with the diatonic chords, we can begin combining them into common jazz progressions.
Two particularly important progressions are:
2-5-1
and:
3-6-2-5-1
These numbers refer to the scale degrees on which each chord is built.
Learning to recognize progressions numerically makes it much easier to spot familiar harmonic patterns when reading jazz standards.
Practice Tips
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Practice the F major scale slowly. Focus on even tone and even timing before increasing the speed.
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Say the scale degrees aloud. As you play the scale, think 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 instead of relying only on note names.
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Memorize the chord-quality pattern. Remember: major, minor, minor, major, dominant, minor, minor 7 flat 5.
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Play the diatonic chords in order. Move slowly from Fmaj7 through Em7♭5, naming both the chord and its scale degree as you play.
- Separate the chord tones between your hands. Practice playing the root in the left hand and the 3rd and 7th in the right hand to begin developing more balanced jazz piano voicings.
