Notes and intervals of F♯ major
- F♯1 · root
- A♯3 · major third
- C♯5 · perfect fifth
It's the basic chord of almost any song: it works as a point of arrival (the tonic) and as a passing chord.
Progressions with F♯
The basic progression: I – IV – V – I
With these three chords you can play along to hundreds of songs in F♯ major.
The pop progression: I – V – vi – IV
It's the backbone of a huge number of ballads, pop songs and reggaeton hits.
Which keys contain F♯ major?
F♯ belongs to 6 keys: in each one it plays a different role depending on the degree (the Roman numeral).
| Key | Degree |
|---|---|
| D♭ major | IV |
| F♯ major | I |
| B major | V |
| D♯ natural minor | III |
| G♯ natural minor | VII |
| B♭ natural minor | VI |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F♯ major chord?
F♯ major (F♯) has 3 notes: F♯ (root), A♯ (major third), C♯ (perfect fifth).
How do you play F♯ major on guitar?
The most common shape uses a barre at fret 2: 2 4 4 3 2 2 (from the 6th to the 1st string). Barre fret 2 with your index finger from the 6th to the 1st string. Place finger 3 (ring) on fret 4 of the 5th string (A). Finger 4 (pinky) goes on fret 4 of the 4th string (D). Finger 2 (middle) goes on fret 3 of the 3rd string (G).
Is F♯ the same as G♭?
Yes: F♯ major and G♭ major sound the same and are played the same way (they are enharmonic). The spelling depends on the song's key; you will see both names in sheet music and songbooks.
What is the difference between F♯ major and F♯ minor?
Only the third changes: F♯ major uses A♯, and F♯ minor uses A. That note makes the chord sound bright (major) or darker (minor).
How do you write F♯ major in chord notation?
It is written F♯; you may also see F♯M or F♯maj. Letter chord notation uses these note names: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B.