Scale degrees · F major
The 4 of F is B♭
The 4 (four) of F is B♭ (B flat): a perfect fourth above the root.
F — the root, 1B♭ — the 4
How to find it
Count letters first, the root included: F, G, A, B. A 4th lands on B.
Then the sound: a perfect fourth is 5 semitones above F, and the B that is 5 semitones up is B♭.
That is why it is B♭ and not A♯: A♯ is the same key on the piano, but from F it would be a 3rd, not a 4th.
Where you meet it
The 4 sits a half step above the major 3rd. In a sus chord it takes the 3rd's place; an octave up it is the 11.
In Fsus4:
F · B♭ · C
The 4 in every key
| Key | The 4 |
|---|---|
| C | F |
| G | C |
| D | G |
| A | D |
| E | A |
| B | E |
| F♯ | B |
| D♭ | G♭ |
| A♭ | D♭ |
| E♭ | A♭ |
| B♭ | E♭ |
| F | B♭ |
Every degree of F
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