slash chord · F root
F/A chord
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The F over A chord is built from the notes A, F, A, C. A slash chord shape you will meet in the first weeks of playing.
By Chiye · Updated
What is the F/A chord?
The F/A chord (F over A) is a slash chord built from four notes: A, F, A, C — the 1–3–5 of the F scale, 4 semitones and 7 semitones above the root. On guitar it is most often played in open position (x-0-3-2-1-1) with 4 fingers while 1 string rings open and the low E string stays silent. It is rated beginner — most players learn it in their first weeks. The same triad with a different note placed in the bass, so the chord keeps its identity while the lowest voice walks underneath it. Below you will find step-by-step fingering, audio of every shape, and the real progressions this chord lives inside.
How do you play the F/A chord on guitar?
Open position — the easiest version of F/A on the guitar.
- Press the D string at fret 3 with your pinky finger.
- Press the G string at fret 2 with your ring finger.
- Press the B string at fret 1 with your index finger.
- Press the high E string at fret 1 with your index finger.
- Start your strum on the A string and do not play the low E string at all.
The x mark is part of the shape, not an accident: the chord only sounds right when low E stays silent. Instead of aiming your pick around that string, let the string next to it rest on it and damp it. x-0-3-2-1-1
How do you make F/A sound clean?
F/A is F with the bass moved, not a new barre shape.
F → F/A → Bb: listen to the bass move while the top of the chord stays still.
In real songs
F/A in songs
None of the 80 songs charted on this site use F/A yet — it is a colour chord rather than a songwriting staple. If you want the wider picture, the slash chords and inversions page compares every root of this family side by side.
The theory behind F/A
F/A is spelled A – F – A – C — the 1 – 3 – 5 of the F scale, which is the root plus 4 semitones, 7 semitones. The same triad with a different note placed in the bass, so the chord keeps its identity while the lowest voice walks underneath it.
The letter after the slash is a bass note, not a new chord. F/A is the same F shape with one low string fretted differently, which is how a bass line walks underneath a chord that is not moving.
What key is the F/A chord in?
F/A is the F major triad with A in the bass, so it stands in for the same three chords: the I in F major, the IV in C major and the V in Bb major.
the home chord — songs resolve here
the subdominant — the chord that leaves home
the dominant — the chord that pulls back home
F/A on other instruments
A – F – A – C — all white keys, so you can find the shape by counting up from C.
Take it to the practice room
