F Sharp Major: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of F sharp major

The key of F sharp major has 6 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯). Its scale is F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E♯ and its seven chords are F♯, G♯m, A♯m, B, C♯, D♯m and E♯dim. The most common progression is F♯ – C♯ – D♯m – B. Its relative key is E flat minor. With a capo on fret 2, you can play it with the shapes of E major.

The chords in the key

F♯ is home; B and C♯ create the movement and tension that lead back to it, and D♯m adds the minor colour. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
I	F♯	F♯ – A♯ – C♯	Tonic: home	F♯maj7
ii	G♯m	G♯ – B – D♯	Subdominant	G♯m7
iii	A♯m	A♯ – C♯ – E♯	Tonic substitute	A♯m7
IV	B	B – D♯ – F♯	Subdominant	Bmaj7
V	C♯	C♯ – E♯ – G♯	Dominant: tension	C♯7
vi	D♯m	D♯ – F♯ – A♯	Relative tonic	D♯m7
vii°	E♯dim	E♯ – G♯ – B	Dominant (leading tone)	—

Scale

F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E♯

With a capo

To make a song sound in F sharp major with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 2: play the shapes of E major
Capo on fret 4: play the shapes of D major
Capo on fret 6: play the shapes of C major

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

F♯ – C♯ – D♯m – B I – V – vi – IV Play in the chord player
F♯ – D♯m – B – C♯ I – vi – IV – V Play in the chord player
G♯m7 – C♯7 – F♯maj7 – F♯maj7 ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – Imaj7 Play in the chord player
F♯ – B – C♯ – F♯ I – IV – V – I Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of F sharp major?

Its seven chords are F♯, G♯m, A♯m, B, C♯, D♯m and E♯dim.

How many sharps or flats does F sharp major have?

It has 6 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯).

What is the relative key of F sharp major?

Its relative key is E flat minor: they share the same notes and chords.