stringery

F♯ harmonic minor

Minor with a raised 7th: classical, gypsy jazz and neoclassical metal. Diminished & augmented family

Exotic and dramatic.

Root position2 of 5

35791215

Square: the root. In colour: the major 7th, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

  1. F♯RW
  2. G♯2H
  3. A♭3W
  4. B4W
  5. C♯5H
  6. D♭61½
  7. E♯7H

Raising the 7th leaves a wide gap after the flat 6th. That leap is the instantly recognisable 'exotic' sound.

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♯ harmonic minor

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12345EADGBE357912157R2♭345♭67R♭345♭67R2♭34♭67R2♭345♭672♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R2♭345♭67R

Position 2 is outlined, frets 1 to 5. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The F♯ harmonic minor key

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

  1. F♯mi
  2. G♯dimii°
  3. AaugIII+
  4. Bmiv
  5. C♯V
  6. DVI
  7. E♯dimvii°

Play it over

Chords this scale sounds good over, most natural first.

Same notes, different home

  • F♯ minor

    Natural minor: the same scale with a flat 7th.