In this article on the F Sharp Minor Scale, we’ll cover theory, intervals, notes, chords, relative & parallel minors, patterns on the fretboard, how to play each pattern, etc. You will know how to play and practice the scale on the guitar.
Read the complete article below on the C Sharp Natural minor scale!
Introduction To F Sharp Natural Minor scale
The F Sharp minor is considered the key of “Gloomy, Passionate Resentment,” with some even stating that resentment and discontent are its languages.
While classical compositions in the F Sharp minor are less than other minor keys, Haydn’s Farewell Symphony, No. 45, is in this key.
Ernst Pauer referred to it as “…that dark, mysterious, and spectral key, [which] is at the same time full of passion.”
The list of symphonies in the F Sharp Minor scale is attached here.
F Sharp Minor Scale Notes
The notes of any natural minor scale are given by the formula {W H W W H W W} using F# as the first note:
- 1st Note – Root – F#
- 2nd Note – M2 –G#
- 3rd Note – m3 – A
- 4th Note – P4 – B
- 5th Note – P5 – C#
- 6th Note – m6 – D
- 7th Note – m7 – E
The notes of the F# Minor scale are {F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#(O)}, where F#(O) is the F# note one octave higher than the root.
From the above notes, you can see that the key signature of the F Sharp minor scale has three sharps. Playing it on a piano keyboard requires four white and three black keys. The Piano Keyboard diagram is shown below.
The notes of the F Sharp harmonic minor scale are F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E#, and F#(O).
The notes of the F Sharp melodic minor scale (ascending) are F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E#, and F#(O).
Scale Degrees
| Intervals | Root | M2 | m3 | P4 | P5 | m6/M6 | m7/M7 | P8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scale Degrees | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 1(8) |
| Natural Minor | F# | G# | A | B | C# | D | E | F#(O) |
| Harmonic Minor | F# | G# | A | B | C# | D | E# | F#(O) |
| Melodic Minor | F# | G# | A | B | C# | D# | E# | F#(O) |
F Sharp Minor Scale On The Treble And Bass Clef:
Treble Clef:
Bass Clef:
F Sharp Minor Scale Guitar Positions
Linked CAGED Patterns.
The F# Flat Minor scale exists in a straight line on the Low E string from the 2nd to 14th fret.
Five CAGED Patterns
Guitar Tabs For The CAGED Patterns
E Shaped Scale Pattern
D Shaped Pattern
C Shaped Pattern
A Shaped Pattern
G Shaped Pattern
Fingering Arrangement For Scale Patterns
Diagram
| Shape | Index Finger | Middle Finger | Ring Finger | Little Finger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Fret 4 | Fret 5 | Fret 6 | Fret 7 |
| D | String [3 4] - Fret 6, String [1 2 5 6] - Fret 7 | String [3 4] - Fret 7, String [1 2 5 6] - Fret 8 | String [3 4] - Fret 8, String [1 2 5 6] - Fret 9 | String [3 4] - Fret 9, String [1 2 5 6] - Fret 10 |
| C | Fret 9 | Fret 10 | Fret 11 | Fret 12 |
| A | String [3 4 5] - Fret 11, [1 2 6] - Fret 12 | String [3 4 5] - Fret 12, String [1 2 6] - Fret 13 | String [3 4 5] - Fret 13, String [1 2 6] - Fret 14 | String [3 4 5] - Fret 14, String [1 2 6] - Fret 15 |
| G | String 3 - Fret 1, String [1 2 4 5 6] - Fret 2 | String 3 - Fret 2, String [1 2 4 5 6] - Fret 3 | String 3 - Fret 3, String [1 2 4 5 6] - Fret 4 | String 3 - Fret 4, String [1 2 4 5 6] - Fret 5 |
The Chords Of The F Sharp Minor Key
| Scale Degrees | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chord Designation | i | iidim | III | iv | v | VI | VII |
| Chord Names | F#m | G#dim | A | Bm | C#m | D | E |
| Chord Quality | minor | diminished | Major | minor | minor | Major | Major |
The following triad chords result from the C Sharp minor scale.
- Three Major chords – III, VI, and VII – A major, D major, and E major.
- Three minor chords – i, iv, and v – F#m, Bm, and C#m.
- One diminished chord, the ii°, G#dim.
- Dominant Chord – C# major formed from the 5th scale degree of the F# Harmonic Minor scale, which has a raised 7th note from the natural minor scale.
Note Names In These Triad Chords.
| Scale Degrees | Intervals | Chord Notes | Chord Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R – F# – m3 – A – M3 – C# | F# – A – C# | F#m |
| 2 | R – G# – m3 – B – m3 – D | G# – B – D | G#dim |
| 3 | R – A – M3 – C# – m3 – E | A – C# – E | A |
| 4 | R – B – m3 – D – M3 – F# | B – D – F# | Bm |
| 5 | R – C# – m3 – E – M3 – G# | C# – E – G# | C#m |
| 6 | R – D – M3 – F# – m3 – A | D – F# – A | D |
| 7 | R – E – M3 – G# – m3 – B | E – G# – B | E |
7th Chords Of A Sharp Minor Scale
| Scale Degrees | Chord Name | Roman N Designation | Chord Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F#m7 | im7 | F# - A - C# - E |
| 2 | G#m7b5 | iiø7 | G# - B - D - F# |
| 3 | AMaj7 | IIIM7 | A - C# - E - G# |
| 4 | Bm7 | ivm7 | B - D - F# - A |
| 5 | C#m7 | vm7 | C# – E – G# - B |
| 6 | DMaj7 | VIM7 | D – F# – A - C# |
| 7 | E7 | VII7 | E – G# – B - D |
Relative & Parallel Minor Of F Sharp Minor
Relative Major Key: A Major Scale {A, B, C#, D, E, F#, and G#}. Relative major and minor scales have the same notes.
Parallel scale: F Sharp Major Scale {F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, and E#}. It has six sharps.
Enharmonic equivalent: G Flat Minor with notes {Gb, Ab, Bbb, Cb, Db, Ebb, and Fb}. Its key signature has five flats and two double flats.
Songs In The Key Of F Sharp Minor
Some of the popular songs in the key of F Sharp Minor Scale are:
- “The Final Countdown” by Europe.
- “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson.
- “Run To You” by Bryan Adams.
- “Shape Of My Heart” by Sting.
- “Wonderwall” by Oasis.
- “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood.
- “Africa” by Toto.
- “Behind These Hazel Eyes” by Kelly Clarkson.
- “Dancing Queen” by ABBA.
- “Heaven” by Avicii.
- “Halo” by Beyonce.
- “The Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga.
The Modes of the F Sharp Minor Scale
The 7 diatonic modes of the F Sharp Minor Scale are:
- F Sharp – Aeolian Mode.
- G Sharp – Locrian Mode.
- A – Ionian Mode.
- B – Dorian Mode.
- C Sharp – Phrygian Mode.
- D – Lydian Mode.
- E – Mixolydian Mode.
Conclusion
Hope you have received sufficient information on the F Sharp Natural Minor Scale to incorporate the scale into your repertoire. Write to us in the section below if you have any comments or need any additional clarifications.
