Chords in the key of F sharp major
The key of F sharp major has the notes F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, and E♯ and the chords F♯, G♯m, A♯m, B, C♯, D♯m, and E♯°. As seventh chords: F♯7M, G♯m7, A♯m7, B7M, C♯7, D♯m7, and E♯m7(♭5). Key signature: 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯). Relative minor: D sharp minor.
- F♯
- G♯
- A♯
- B
- C♯
- D♯
- E♯
Chords in F sharp major
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | F♯ | F♯7M | tonic |
| ii | G♯m | G♯m7 | subdominant |
| iii | A♯m | A♯m7 | tonic |
| IV | B | B7M | subdominant |
| V | C♯ | C♯7 | dominant |
| vi | D♯m | D♯m7 | tonic |
| vii° | E♯° | E♯m7(♭5) | dominant |
Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.
The chords of F sharp major on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (F♯, A♯m, and D♯m) feels at rest; subdominant (G♯m and B) moves away from home; dominant (C♯ and E♯°) builds tension and wants to go back to F♯.
Common progressions in F sharp major
Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.
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The pop progression
I–V–vi–IVThe most used sequence in pop and country: it works under almost any melody.
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50s progression
I–vi–IV–VThe "doo-wop": from 1950s ballads to today's romantic pop.
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Jazz IIm–V–I
ii7–V7–Imaj7The most important cadence in jazz and bossa nova.
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The three chords
I–IV–VI–IV–V: the foundation of rock, blues, country and folk.
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Sentimental pop
vi–IV–I–VThe pop progression starting on the relative minor: emotional, chorus-ready.
Relative and parallel keys
Relative minor: D sharp minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯)).
Parallel key: F sharp minor, with the same tonic and the other mode. Switching between them mid-song changes the mood without moving the home note.
Neighbours on the circle of fifths: B major (a fifth below) and D flat major (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
F sharp major is highlighted. Clockwise, each step goes up a fifth and adds a sharp; counter-clockwise, a flat. The relative minors are on the inside. Tap a key to see its chords.
Scales and tools for F sharp major
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of F sharp major?
F♯, G♯m, A♯m, B, C♯, D♯m, and E♯°. As seventh chords: F♯7M, G♯m7, A♯m7, B7M, C♯7, D♯m7, and E♯m7(♭5).
What is the relative of F sharp major?
D sharp minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯).
What is the key signature of F sharp major?
F sharp major has 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯) in its key signature.
What is the dominant chord in F sharp major?
It is C♯ (or C♯7 with the seventh), the V chord. It builds tension and resolves to F♯, the tonic.
What chord progressions work in F sharp major?
The most common: I–V–vi–IV: F♯ C♯ D♯m B; I–vi–IV–V: F♯ D♯m B C♯; ii7–V7–Imaj7: G♯m7 C♯7 F♯7M; I–IV–V: F♯ B C♯; vi–IV–I–V: D♯m B F♯ C♯.