F major
Major key with one flat (B-flat); relative major of D minor.
What it means
F major is the major key with one flat in its key signature, B-flat. Its tonic is F, and its relative minor is D minor. The scale runs F, G, A, B-flat, C, D, E, F; on the circle of fifths it lies one step on the flat side of C major, which makes it the subdominant key of C major.
Musical use
F major is regarded as a key of calm, friendly, and often pastoral character. Ludwig van Beethoven's sixth symphony, the Pastoral, is in F major, as is Johann Sebastian Bach's first Brandenburg Concerto. The horn in F, for a long time the standard horn, makes F major a tonally especially familiar key in the orchestra.
F major should be distinguished from F-sharp major, which despite the similar name has six sharps, and from D minor, its relative minor with the same key signature but a more serious character. The close relationship with C major shows in that the two scales differ in only one note, B-flat instead of B.
Performance practice
Practise the scale and the triads F–A–C, B-flat–D–F, and C–E–G slowly and pay attention to B-flat as the only accidental. On string instruments and in singing, take care over the pure intonation of the third A above F, which should lie low enough.