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). Bb instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor saxophone) read in G# minor to sound F# Minor. Eb instruments (alto saxophone, Eb clarinet) read in D# minor to sound F# Minor. Standard guitar tuning (E A D G B E) resonates naturally in F# Minor.