F chord inversions

F/A and F/C are the first and second inversions of the F major. This means that the bass tone is shifting from F to A or C. Both these chords are also referred to as slash chords.


F/A

  • F/A chord diagram X03211

F/C

  • F/C chord diagram X33211

Try in a chord progression

F/A - Bb - C - Dm
F/C - Bb - Am

Theory of the F/A and F/C chords

Both chords consist of the notes F, A, C. The difference is that the order of notes shifts. A is the bass note in the first inversion and C is the bass note in the second inversion. A comparison between the main F major and the two inversions can be seen below.

Alternative fingerings

F/C can be played as a normal F barre form (133211), but without including the low bass string (X33211). An easier fingering is possible for F/C as X3321X, which is suitable in a progression such as C - Csus4 - F/C.

Alternative chord names

F/A is identical with Am#5.
F/C is identical with C6sus4.


See also F7 inversions | Fmaj7 inversions

Chord construction

F  x - x - F - A - C - E
F/A  x -A - F - A - C - E
F/C  x - C - F - A - C - E
Guitar versions of the chord

Notes in chord

F  F - A - C
F/A  A - C - F
F/C  C - F - A
Only the order of notes differs
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