Chords in the key of F♯ minor
The key of F♯ minor has three sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯). Its seven chords are F♯m, G♯dim, A, Bm, C♯m, D and E. Tap any of them, or play them in order.
Tap a numeral to hear one chord; tap a shape to open it.
The chords that do most of the work
Think of F♯ minor as F♯m plus three pillars: Bm (iv), D (VI) and E (VII). The dominant is the flexible one: C♯m for a soft, folk sound, C♯ or C♯7 for a classical pull home.
Key signature
F♯ minor has three sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯) in the key signature. Sharp keys add one sharp per step clockwise around the circle of fifths: F♯ minor sits between B minor and C♯ minor.
The notes of the key are the F♯ natural minor scale: F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D E. Relative major: A major (same notes). Parallel major: F♯ major (same starting note).
Progressions in F♯ minor
Every progression below is spelled out in F♯ minor. The player starts with the minor anthem.
In F♯ minor, 4 beats per chord. Open in the progression builder
- iF♯m
- VID
- IIIA
- VIIE
| Progression | In F♯ minor | |
|---|---|---|
| i–VI–III–VII the minor anthem | F♯m – D – A – E | |
| i–iv–V the minor cadence | F♯m – Bm – C♯ – F♯m | |
| i–VII–VI–V the Andalusian cadence | F♯m – E – D – C♯ | |
| i–VII–VI–VII the epic minor loop | F♯m – E – D – E |
Making F♯ minor chords pull harder
Any chord in F♯ minor can get its own V7. It isn't in the key, but it points straight at the chord that follows.
- V7 of III
- V7 of iv
- V7 of v
- V7 of VI
- V7 of VII
Borrowing from F♯ major
Minor-key songs often take chords from F♯ major, the parallel major: B (IV), F♯ (I) and G♯m (ii). The major IV gives a brighter, Dorian lift, and ending a minor piece on the major I is the old "Picardy third".
Seventh chords in F♯ minor
The F♯ minor seventh chords: F♯m7, G♯m7♭5, Amaj7, Bm7, C♯m7, Dmaj7 and E7. With the borrowed major V it becomes C♯7.
Playing in F♯ minor on guitar
F♯ minor is awkward in open position, so most guitarists use a capo: capo 2nd fret with E minor shapes or capo 4th fret with D minor shapes. Barre chords work too.
Transpose a chord chart · How a capo works
Other keys
Key of F♯ minor: questions
What chords are in the key of F♯ minor?
F♯m, G♯dim, A, Bm, C♯m, D and E. As numerals: i = F♯m, ii° = G♯dim, III = A, iv = Bm, v = C♯m, VI = D, VII = E. Most songs in F♯ minor also use C♯ (major V) in place of C♯m.
How many sharps or flats are in F♯ minor?
Three sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯).
What is the relative major of F♯ minor?
A major. It uses the same key signature; the difference is which chord feels like home.
What are the i, iv and V chords in F♯ minor?
F♯m (i), Bm (iv) and C♯ (V, borrowed from the harmonic minor). Those three chords are enough for thousands of songs.
How do I play in F♯ minor on guitar with a capo?
Capo 2nd fret, then play E minor shapes (Em, C, G, D); they sound as F♯m, D, A, E.
Chord spellings follow the key signature of F♯ minor; all of them are checked automatically. Updated September 2026.