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.^[1] It has enharmonic equivalents of E♯ (E-sharp)^[2] and G (G-double flat),^[3] 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.

Designation by octave

Scales

E-sharp

E♯ (German: Eis)^[4] 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.

References

Bibliography

• Demorest, Steven M. (2001). Building Choral Excellence: Teaching Sight-Singing in the Choral Rehearsal. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-512462-0.
• Griffiths, Paul (7 October 2004). The Penguin Companion to Classical Music. Penguin UK. ISBN 9780141909769.
• Zundel, John (1848). The Complete Melodeon Instructor, in Seven Parts: Designed as a Thorough Instruction Book for the Melodeon, Seraphine, Eolican, Melopean, Organ, Or Any Similar Instrument. O. Ditson.

See also

• Piano key frequencies
• F major
• F minor
• Root (chord)