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F major

F major (or the key of F) is a musical major scale based on F, consisting of the pitches F, G, A, B♭, C, D, and E. Its key signature has one flat (see below: Scales and keys).

Its relative minor is D minor and its parallel minor is F minor.

F major key is the home key of the English horn, the basset horn, the horn in F, the trumpet in F and the bass Wagner tuba. Thus, music in F major for these instruments is written in C major key. Most of these sound a perfect fifth lower than written, with the exception of the trumpet in F which sounds a fourth higher. (The basset horn also often sounds an octave and a fifth lower.)

Of the six Overtures Francesco Maria Veracini wrote for the Prince of Dresden, most are in either F major or B-flat major because of the limitations of the winds in the Prince's orchestra.

List of compositions in F Major

• Symphony No. 6 in F Major, OP. 68 (Pastoral) - Ludwig van Beethoven
• Symphony No. 3 in F Major - Johannes Brahms

See also: List of symphonies in F major

Scales and keys