Note, Scale, Chord… explained simply
Note, Scale, Chord… explained simply

F# major: Key Signature, Scale and Chords

Circle of fifths with F# major (6 ♯): chords of the key highlighted on the wheel

F# major has 6 ♯ (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#) in its key signature.

The F# major scale is: F# G# A# B C# D# E# F#.

The diatonic chords are F# (I), G#m (ii), A#m (iii), B (IV), C# (V), D#m (vi) and E#dim (vii°). The main functions are F# (tonic), B (subdominant) and C# (dominant).

The relative minor is D# minor. In the circle of fifths, B major (a fifth lower) and C# major (a fifth higher) sit right next to F# major.

F# major and Gb major are enharmonically equivalent: on the piano both keys sound the same and use the same keys, only the spelling differs. Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 24 (Op. 78) is in F# major.

All keys at a glance

Table with key signatures and all diatonic chords. Click a key to open its own page.

Back to the overview: Circle of Fifth

Mnemonic for sharp keys: Good Dogs Always Eat Big Fat Cats

Mnemonic for flat keys: Fat Bears Eat Apples Daily Getting Chubby

KeyKey signatureIiiiiiIVVvivii°
C majorA minornoneCDmEmFGAmBdim
G majorE minor1 ♯F#GAmBmCDEmF#dim
D majorB minor2 ♯F#, C#DEmF#mGABmC#dim
A majorF# minor3 ♯F#, C#, G#ABmC#mDEF#mG#dim
E majorC# minor4 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#EF#mG#mABC#mD#dim
B majorG# minor5 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#BC#mD#mEF#G#mA#dim
F# majorD# minor6 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#F#G#mA#mBC#D#mE#dim
C# majorA# minor7 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#C#D#mE#mF#G#A#mB#dim
F majorD minor1 ♭BbFGmAmBbCDmEdim
Bb majorG minor2 ♭Bb, EbBbCmDmEbFGmAdim
Eb majorC minor3 ♭Bb, Eb, AbEbFmGmAbBbCmDdim
Ab majorF minor4 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, DbAbBbmCmDbEbFmGdim
Db majorBb minor5 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, GbDbEbmFmGbAbBbmCdim
Gb majorEb minor6 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, CbGbAbmBbmCbDbEbmFdim
Cb majorAb minor7 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, FbCbDbmEbmFbGbAbmBbdim

Free Online Exercises

Interactive carousel with 4 music theory exercises. Use the arrow keys or swipe to move between the exercises.