stringery

F♯ major

The do-re-mi scale everything else is measured against. Major family

Bright, familiar, resolved.

Root position3 of 5

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Square: the root. In colour: the major 3rd, the note that gives this scale its sound.

Built from

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

Every step is a whole step except two half steps, after the 3rd and the 7th. That pattern is the sound of 'home' in most music you know.

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♯ major

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12345GCEA571012234567R567R2347R2345634567R2

Position 3 is outlined, frets 6 to 9. Pick another window to move there.

Ring the notes of a chord

Chords in this scale

The F♯ major key

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

  1. F♯I
  2. G♯mii
  3. A♯miii
  4. BIV
  5. C♯V
  6. D♯mvi
  7. E♯dimvii°

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

  • E♭ minor

    Same notes, but home is E♭: sad, serious, the classic minor sound.

  • G♯ dorian

    Same notes, but home is G♯: minor but hopeful. cool and groovy.

  • D♭ mixolydian

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

  • B lydian

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

  • B♭ phrygian

    Same notes, but home is B♭: dark, spanish, menacing.