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F#m(Minor Chord)

A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third.

Notes
F# – A – C#
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 3 – 7
Type
Triad

🎹 F#m on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the F#m chord.

R
F#(Root (R))
2
A(Minor 3rd (♭3))
3
C#(Perfect 5th)

🎸 F#m on Guitar

The F#m chord uses notes F#, A, C#. Build a voicing by finding these notes on any strings — root on the 6th string is a common starting point for barre chord shapes.

Interval Analysis

DegreeInterval NameSemitonesNote in F#
RootRoot (R)0F#
3rdMinor 3rd (♭3)3A
5thPerfect 5th7C#

About the F# Minor Chord

The F#m chord (F# Minor) consists of 3 notes: F#, A, C#. A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third.

To build any minor chord, apply intervals of 0, 3, 7 semitones above the root. Starting from F#: the notes land on F#, A, C#.

Playing F#m on Piano

Press F#, A, C# simultaneously. In root position, F# is lowest. First inversion places A in the bass for a lighter sound; second inversion uses C# as the bass note.

Common Chord Progressions Using F#m

  • I–IV–V: F#m – Bm – C#m (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: F#m – C# – D#m – B (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: F#m – D#m – B – C# (50s progression)

The F#m Chord in Context

As a minor chord, F#m is the tonic (I) in the key of F# major. It also appears as the IV chord in C# major, and as the V chord in B major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other F# Chords

F#
Major
F#7
Dominant 7th
F#maj7
Major 7th
F#m7
Minor 7th
F#dim
Diminished
F#aug
Augmented

Minor Chord in All 12 Keys

CmC#mDmD#mEmFmF#mGmG#mAmA#mBm
🎹 Virtual Piano
Play F#m on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
See on the fretboard
🎵 F# Scale
Notes that fit F#m
🎶 Songs
Find songs using F#m

FAQ

F#m Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the F#m chord?
The F# Minor chord contains: F#, A, C#. These notes are derived by applying the minor interval formula (0–3–7 semitones) to the root note F#.
What is the F#m chord used for?
A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third. The F#m chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of F# major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play F#m on piano?
On piano, play F#, A, C# simultaneously. In root position, F# is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has A lowest, second inversion has C# lowest.
How many notes are in a minor chord?
A minor chord has 3 notes: F#, A, C# (in F#). It is a triad — the most fundamental chord type.
What is the difference between F# major and F# minor?
The F# major chord (F#–A#–C#) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The F# minor chord (F#–A–C#) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does F#m belong to?
F#m naturally serves as the I chord in the key of F# major. It also appears as IV in the key of C# major, and as V in the key of B major.
Can I play F#m on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The F#m chord notes (F#, A, C#) can be fretted on a ukulele, though the shapes differ from guitar due to the 4-string layout and shorter scale.
What chords go well with F#m?
In the key of F# major, F#m pairs naturally with B major (IV), C# major (V), and D#m (vi). The classic I–IV–V (F#m–B–C#) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of F#m?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. F#m root position: F# in bass. First inversion: A in bass. Second inversion: C# in bass. Inversions create smoother bass line movement without changing the harmony.
How do I memorize the notes in a minor chord?
Remember the formula: 0–3–7 semitones from root. For F#m: start on F#, add 3 semitones, then 7 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any minor chord.