F Sharp Minor: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of F sharp minor

The key of F sharp minor has 3 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯, G♯). Its scale is F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D – E and its seven chords are F♯m, G♯dim, A, Bm, C♯m, D and E. The most common progression is F♯m – D – A – E. Its relative key is A major. With a capo on fret 2, you can play it with the shapes of E minor.

The chords in the key

F♯m is home and Bm darkens it. The natural fifth chord, C♯m, resolves softly; swap it for C♯7 and it pulls hard towards F♯m. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
i	F♯m	F♯ – A – C♯	Tonic: home	F♯m7
ii°	G♯dim	G♯ – B – D	Subdominant	—
III	A	A – C♯ – E	Relative major	Amaj7
iv	Bm	B – D – F♯	Subdominant	Bm7
v	C♯m	C♯ – E – G♯	Minor dominant	C♯m7
VI	D	D – F♯ – A	Subdominant (epic colour)	Dmaj7
VII	E	E – G♯ – B	Subtonic	E7

Scale

F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯ – D – E

With a capo

To make a song sound in F sharp minor with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 2: play the shapes of E minor
Capo on fret 4: play the shapes of D minor

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

F♯m – D – A – E i – bVI – bIII – bVII Play in the chord player
F♯m – Bm – C♯m – F♯m i – iv – v – i Play in the chord player
F♯m – E – D – C♯ i – bVII – bVI – V Play in the chord player
F♯m – Bm – C♯7 – F♯m i – iv – V7 – i Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of F sharp minor?

Its seven chords are F♯m, G♯dim, A, Bm, C♯m, D and E.

How many sharps or flats does F sharp minor have?

It has 3 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯, G♯).

What is the relative key of F sharp minor?

Its relative key is A major: they share the same notes and chords.