F (musical note)

F is a musical note, the fourth above C or fifth below C. It is the fourth note and the sixth semitone of the solfège. It is also known as fa in fixed-do solfège. It has enharmonic equivalents of E (E-sharp) and G (G-double flat), amongst others. When calculated in equal temperament with a reference of A above middle C as 440 Hz, the frequency of Middle F (F4) is approximately 349.228 Hz. See pitch (music) for a discussion of historical variations in frequency. F major: F G A B C D E F F natural minor: F G A B C D E F F harmonic minor: F G A B C D E F F melodic minor ascending: F G A B C D E F F melodic minor descending: F E D C B A G F F Ionian: F G A B C D E F F Dorian: F G A B C D E F F Phrygian: F G A B C D E F F Lydian: F G A B C D E F F Mixolydian: F G A B C D E F F Aeolian: F G A B C D E F F Locrian: F G A B C D E F F ascending melodic minor: F G A B C D E F F Dorian ♭2: F G A B C D E F F Lydian augmented: F G A B C D E F F Lydian dominant: F G A B C D E F F Mixolydian ♭6: F G A B C D E F F Locrian ♮2: F G A B C D E F F altered: F G A B C D E F E (Eis) is a common enharmonic equivalent of F, but is not regarded as the same note. E is commonly found before F in the same measure in pieces where F is in the key signature, in order to represent a diatonic, rather than a chromatic semitone; writing an F with a following F is regarded as a chromatic alteration of one scale degree. Though E and F sound the same in any 12-tone temperament, other tunings may define them as distinct pitches.