F Ionian Mode

The F Ionian Mode has a Major quality due to its Major Third A. The Ionian Mode, like F Ionian Mode, is one of seven diatonic modes originally formed using just the natural notes (think just the white keys on a piano) but starting on a particular note, C in the case of the Ionian Mode, which creates a unique sequence of intervals. This mode can then be transposed to any key such as F Ionian Mode in this example. F Ionian Mode is classified as a heptatonic scale as it has seven notes, F, G, A, B, C, D, E. The F Ionian Mode is also known as a diatonic scale which conforms to specific rules. Due to its popularity the Ionian Mode later became known as the Major Scale. F Ionian Mode is therefore identical to the F Major Scale.

Below you will find the F Ionian Mode notes, notation, patterns, degrees, intervals and more. You can also opt to see the F Ionian Mode on your preferred instrument.

Theoretical Only

The F Ionian Mode is considered theoretical only as it has double sharps or flats in the key signature.

The usual alternative is the enharmonic equivalent E Ionian Mode

Notes Ascending

F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F

Notes Descending

F, E, D, C, B, A, G, F

Pattern Ascending

T, T, S, T, T, T, S

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Pattern Descending

S, T, T, T, S, T, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Degrees Ascending

NoteNumberName
F1Tonic
G2Supertonic
A3Mediant
B4Subdominant
C5Dominant
D6Submediant
E7Leading Tone
F8Tonic (Octave)

Degrees Descending

NoteNumberName
F8Tonic (Octave)
E7Leading Tone
D6Submediant
C5Dominant
B4Subdominant
A3Mediant
G2Supertonic
F1Tonic

Intervals Ascending

NotesSemitonesInterval
F > F0Perfect Unison (P1)
F > G2Major 2nd (M2)
F > A4Major 3rd (M3)
F > B5Perfect 4th (P4)
F > C7Perfect 5th (P5)
F > D9Major 6th (M6)
F > E11Major 7th (M7)
F > F12Perfect Octave (P8)

Intervals Descending

NotesSemitonesInterval
F > F0Perfect Unison (P1)
F > E1minor 2nd (m2)
F > D3minor 3rd (m3)
F > C5Perfect 4th (P4)
F > B7Perfect 5th (P5)
F > A8minor 6th (m6)
F > G10minor 7th (m7)
F > F12Perfect Octave (P8)

Modes related to F Ionian Mode

Enharmonic Equivalent Mode

Scale with the same root and notes as the F Ionian Mode but different spelling.

E Ionian Mode

Chords related to F Ionian Mode

Related Triads

These chords have been built using the notes of the F Ionian Mode. The chords are in degree order and shown in Roman numerals (lowercase = minor/diminished, uppercase = Major/Augmented).

I Chord - F Major

ii Chord - G Minor

iii Chord - A Minor

IV Chord - A Major

V Chord - C Major

vi Chord - D Minor

viio Chord - E Diminished

Learn to Play F Ionian Mode

Instrument View

See F Ionian Mode on

If you want to learn what scales and modes are and much more, check out our free Fundamentals of Music Theory course. If you already know some of the basics, you can jump straight into the scales lesson.

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