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F# Minor Chord

F#m places a minor third (A) between F sharp and C sharp. It is i in its own minor key, while the same notes can serve as vi in the relative major.

  • Notes: F sharp-A-C sharp
  • Symbol: F#m
  • i in F# minor
  • Minor third
Switch chordF#m

How to play an F# minor chord

Notes: F# - A - C# · symbol F#m

  • Root position

    F# - A - C#
    C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    A - C# - F#
    C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    C# - F# - A
    C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does F# minor belong?

The three notes come from the F sharp minor scale, so this chord can act as its home base.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In F# minorHome
    i

    The resting point of F# minor. The major V before it makes the return feel final.

    F#miBmivC#VF#mi
  • In A majorThe relative minor
    vi

    Same notes as A major, a darker color. The vi in countless pop songs.

    AIF#mviDIVEV
  • In E majorThe start of ii-V-I
    ii

    The first step of the most common move in jazz, heading to E.

    F#miiBVEI
  • In D majorA soft stand-in
    iii

    It shares two notes with D, so it can replace the I without leaving home.

    DIF#miiiGIVAV

Progressions to try

  • F#mBmC#F#m

    The major V gives this minor-key return a clear pull into F#m.

  • F#mDAE

    The bVI and bVII chords keep the loop moving without the strong V-to-i return.

  • AF#mDE

    Here F#m is vi in A major, a relative-minor turn away from the major tonic.

  • F#mBE

    F#m begins a ii-V-I in E major; follow the bass as it reaches the final chord.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with 244222, a barre at the 2nd fret. Press the barred notes evenly and mute any strings marked x. The x-9-11-11-10-9 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 2120 is the easiest place to start. The 6654 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play F sharp-A-C sharp. Move F sharp up an octave to reach the first inversion, A-C sharp-F sharp; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

F sharp is the root, A the minor third three semitones above it, and C sharp the fifth seven semitones above it.

  • Root position: F sharp-A-C sharp, with F sharp lowest.
  • First inversion: A-C sharp-F sharp, written F#m/A if A is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: C sharp-F sharp-A, written F#m/C# if C sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does F# major differ?

Keep F sharp and C sharp in place, then raise A to A sharp. That single change turns F#m into F#. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See F# for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • F#m

    F# - A - C#
    C5

    F# minor

  • F#

    F# - A# - C#
    C5

    F# major

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