F# minor chords, relative major and Camelot code (11A)
F♯ minor has 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯). Its chords are F♯m, G♯°, A, Bm, C♯m, D and E. The relative major is A major and the Camelot code is 11A, so it mixes cleanly with 10A, 12A and 11B.
Notes in the F♯ minor scale
F♯ minor has 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯). It sounds identical to G♭ minor, which is the same set of pitches spelled differently; F♯ minor is the usual spelling.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F♯ | G♯ | A | B | C♯ | D | E |
Chords in F♯ minor
Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get the seven chords that belong to the key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | F♯m | F♯ · A · C♯ |
| ii° | G♯° | G♯ · B · D |
| III | A | A · C♯ · E |
| iv | Bm | B · D · F♯ |
| v | C♯m | C♯ · E · G♯ |
| VI | D | D · F♯ · A |
| VII | E | E · G♯ · B |
In practice most songs in F♯ minor swap the minor v for C♯. Raising the seventh note (E to E♯) gives a leading note that pulls back to F♯, so C♯ to F♯m sounds like arriving home.
Common progressions in F♯ minor
- F♯m – D – A – E (i–VI–III–VII): the minor-key pop and trap loop.
- F♯m – Bm – C♯m (i–iv–v): the plain minor blues shape.
- F♯m – E – D – C♯ (i–VII–VI–V): the descending Andalusian cadence, with a major V.
- F♯m – Bm – E – A (i–iv–VII–III): a common lo-fi and R&B cycle.
Keys that mix with F♯ minor
F♯ minor is 11A on the Camelot wheel. For a clean blend, go to a key next to it:
| Camelot | Key | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 10A | B minor | One step round the wheel: shares six of its seven notes |
| 12A | C♯ minor | One step the other way: also shares six of seven notes |
| 11B | A major | The relative major: exactly the same notes |
How the wheel works is in the Camelot wheel explained, and how to use it in a set is in harmonic mixing for DJs.
Relative and parallel keys
The relative major, A major, uses exactly the same notes with a different home chord. The parallel major, F♯ major, keeps F♯ as home but changes three notes. More on the difference in relative major and minor keys.
Questions people ask
What chords are in F♯ minor?
F♯m (i), G♯° (ii°), A (III), Bm (iv), C♯m (v), D (VI) and E (VII).
What is the relative major of F♯ minor?
A major. It uses the same 7 notes, F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D, E, but centres on A instead of F♯.
What is the Camelot code for F♯ minor?
11A. In Open Key notation it is 4m.
What keys mix well with F♯ minor?
B minor (10A), C♯ minor (12A) and A major (11B). They sit next to 11A on the Camelot wheel.
How many sharps or flats does F♯ minor have?
3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯).