F♯ Minor
Key Signature
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tonic | F♯ |
| Mode | Minor |
| Accidentals | 3 sharps |
| Key Signature Notes | F♯, C♯, G♯ |
F♯ minor has three sharps and a dark, passionate quality. It is used in classical piano literature and rock music, with a distinctive tension suited to dramatic expression.
Diatonic Chords
The seven diatonic chords of F♯ Minor — each built on a scale degree using only the notes of the key signature:
| Degree | Roman Numeral | Chord Type | Chord |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i | Minor | F♯ Minor |
| 2 | ii° | Diminished | G♯ Diminished |
| 3 | III | Major | A Major |
| 4 | iv | Minor | B Minor |
| 5 | v | Minor | C♯ Minor |
| 6 | VI | Major | D Major |
| 7 | VII | Major | E Major |
Related Keys
- Relative Major
- A Major — shares the same key signature.
- Parallel Major
- F Sharp Major — same tonic, different key signature.
See all key relationships on the Circle of Fifths.
Scales in F♯ Minor
Common scales built from the F♯ tonic:
Transposing Instrument Context
Sharp-key signatures like F♯ Minor are comfortable for open-string instruments (guitar, violin). B♭ instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor saxophone) read in G♯ minor to sound F♯ Minor. E♭ instruments (alto saxophone, E♭ clarinet) read in D♯ minor to sound F♯ Minor. Standard guitar tuning (E A D G B E) resonates naturally in F♯ Minor.