stringery

F minor

Natural minor, also called aeolian. Minor family

Sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

Root position1 of 5

35791215

Square: the root. In colour: the flat 6th, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. FRW
  2. G2H
  3. A♭♭3W
  4. B♭4W
  5. C5H
  6. D♭♭6W
  7. E♭♭7W

The flat 3rd makes it minor, and the flat 6th is what makes it sound sad rather than just dark.

Between the notes: W is a whole step (2 frets), H a half step (1 fret), and 1½ a step and a half (3 frets).

On the whole neckF minor

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12345EADGBE35791215R2♭345♭6♭7R245♭6♭7R2♭345♭7R2♭345♭6♭7R2♭345♭6♭7R2♭345♭6♭7R2♭345♭6R2♭345♭6♭7R2

Position 1 is outlined, frets 0 to 4. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The F minor key

Build a chord on every note of the scale and you get these seven. Songs in this key mostly use them.

  1. Fmi
  2. Gdimii°
  3. A♭III
  4. B♭miv
  5. Cmv
  6. D♭VI
  7. E♭VII

Its neighbours on the circle of fifths Capo and transpose

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • A♭ major

    Same notes, but home is A♭: bright, familiar, resolved.

  • B♭ dorian

    Same notes, but home is B♭: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • E♭ mixolydian

    Same notes, but home is E♭: major and laid-back, with swagger.

  • D♭ lydian

    Same notes, but home is D♭: floating, magical, wide-eyed.

  • C phrygian

    Same notes, but home is C: dark, spanish, menacing.