F#m guitar chord
The F# minor chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in F#m
- Notes
- F# – A – C#
- Formula
- 1 – b3 – 5
- Name
- F# minor
F#mF# · A · C#
3 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- E shape · 2nd fret
- D shape · 4th fret
- A shape · 9th fret
What to play over F#m
Start with the chord's own notes — F#, A, C# — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- F# minor pentatonic scale
The safe start, and the sound of most rock and blues solos.
- F# Dorian mode
A minor with a brighter 6th — when the chord is a ii.
- F# natural minor scale
The natural minor, when the chord is the song’s home chord (i).
- F# Phrygian mode
Dark and Spanish-sounding, with the ♭2 — when the chord is a iii.
Questions
What notes are in a F#m chord?
F#m has 3 notes: F#, A, C#. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – b3 – 5.
What scale goes with F#m?
F# minor pentatonic scale is the place to start. The safe start, and the sound of most rock and blues solos.