Learn all about the F-sharp minor scale on piano, including its notes, diatonic chords, finger positions, relative major, and songs in the key of F-sharp minor.
Are you interested in learning how to play the F-sharp minor piano scale? Knowing this interesting and evocative scale can unlock some fascinating music! Let’s start learning how to play this scale on the piano and what pieces or songs you can learn in this key.
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The F-sharp minor scale on piano at a glance
- The F-sharp minor scale is NOT as challenging as people may think: F-sharp minor has three sharps; it therefore shares the same key signature with A major!
- Piano compositions and iconic works: Several well-known piano compositions have been written in F-sharp minor, including Johannes Brahms’s Piano Sonata no. 2 in F-sharp minor, Op. 2, and a number of Frédéric Chopin’s pieces, demonstrating the key’s suitability for intricate and emotional music.
- Two iconic musical examples in this key include Haydn’s “Farewell” Symphony and Europe’s “The Final Countdown.” These pieces exhibit the deep, often solemn character of this key.
The notes of the F-sharp natural minor scale
The scale of F-sharp natural minor starts on F sharp and has three sharps in its key signature. The notes of the F-sharp natural minor scale are F♯ (F sharp), G♯ (G sharp), A, B, C♯ (C sharp), D, E, and F♯.
The F-sharp harmonic minor scale is the same as the natural minor scale, but the 7th scale degree is raised a half step. This means that E becomes E♯ (E sharp), which is enharmonic with F.
The F-sharp melodic minor scale is interesting because it is played differently on the way up from on the way down. When ascending, the 6th and 7th scale degrees are raised a half step. This means that the pitches are F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D♯, E♯, and F♯. On the way down, the 6th and 7th scale degrees are lowered back, so the scale is played exactly the same way as the natural minor scale.
The F-sharp minor key signature
The F-sharp minor key signature has three sharps, F♯, C♯, and G♯.
The relative major of F-sharp minor
The relative major scale of F-sharp minor is the A major scale. Both scales share the same key signature, which has three sharps: F♯, C♯, and G♯.
This relationship between the two scales means they share the same set of notes but start on different root notes; the A major scale starts on A, while the F-sharp natural minor scale starts on F♯.
This relative major-minor relationship is a fundamental concept in music theory and is often utilized in various compositions to explore different moods and tonal landscapes.
How do you play the F-sharp minor piano scale?
You can watch the video above to see the F-sharp minor piano pentascale played by Mr. Hoffman!
Here’s the right hand placement for the one-octave F-sharp minor piano scale:
3 on F♯
4 on G♯
Pass the thumb under:
1 on A
2 on B
3 on C♯
Pass the thumb under:
1 on D
2 on E
3 on F♯
Left hand placement for the F-sharp minor piano scale:
4 on F♯
3 on G♯
2 on A
1 on B
Cross the 3rd finger over:
3 on C♯
2 on D
1 on E
Cross the 4th finger over:
2 on F♯
When coming down the scale, reverse the finger order like this:
Right hand:
3 on F♯
2 on E
1 on D
Cross the 3rd finger over:
3 on C♯
2 on B
1 on A
Cross the 4th finger over:
4 on G♯
3 on F♯
Left hand:
2 on F♯
Pass the thumb under:
1 on E
2 on D
3 on C♯
Pass the thumb under:
1 on B
2 on A
3 on G♯
4 on F♯
For fingering for F-sharp harmonic minor and melodic minor, as well as all other minor scales, download our free Minor Scales Fingering Guide.
Chords in the key of F-sharp minor
To build the diatonic chords in the key of F-sharp minor, we will base them on the natural minor variant of the scale. Here are the triads (three-note chords) derived from each scale degree:
- F♯ minor (i): F♯ – A – C♯
- G♯ diminished (ii°): G♯ – B – D
- A major (III): A – C♯ – E
- B minor (iv): B – D – F♯
- C♯ minor (v): C♯ – E – G♯ ** If using F# harmonic minor, your V chord is C# Major (C# – E# – G#)
- D major (VI): D – F♯ – A
- E major (VII): E – G♯ – B ** If using F# harmonic minor, your vii chord is E# diminished (E# – G# – B)
If you’d like some handy reference guides for chords and triads in all keys, download these free resources from the Hoffman Academy Store:
Music in the key of F-sharp minor
Rock/Pop:
- “Hold the Line” by TOTO
- “I Want it That Way” by The Backstreet Boys
- “Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna
- “The Final Countdown” by Europe
Classical:
- Piano Sonata n0. 8 in F-sharp minor – Franz Schubert
- Pavane in F-sharp minor – Gabriel Fauré
- Piano Sonata n0. 2 in F-sharp minor – Johannes Brahms
- Polonaise in F-sharp minor – Frederic Chopin
- Nocturne in F-sharp minor – Frederic Chopin
- Prelude in F-sharp minor – Sergei Rachmaninoff
- Prelude and Fugue in F-sharp minor – Dmitri Shostakovich
- Suite for Two Pianos in F-sharp minor – Dmitri Shostakovich
- Piano Sonata in F-sharp minor – Igor Stravinsky
We hope you’ve had fun exploring the F-sharp minor piano scale! To learn more about minor scales and how to play them, check out Hoffman Academy’s Minor Scales Fingering Guide. For more piano resources, sign up for our Premium membership!