F-sharp minor scale on piano - notes, fingering and chords

How to play the F-sharp minor scale

Right hand: start on F♯ with finger 2, then tuck your thumb under to play A, then tuck your thumb under to play D.

Left hand: start on F♯ with finger 4, then cross finger 3 over your thumb to play C♯, then cross finger 4 over your thumb to play F♯.

Coming down, use the same fingers in reverse order. Start with each hand alone at a slow tempo, and play hands together only once both feel even.

Most music in F-sharp minor uses C♯ ( C♯ E♯ G♯) for the V chord instead, borrowed from the harmonic minor. Its raised note pulls strongly back to F♯.

Natural minor: F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D E F♯. Uses only the notes of the key signature, the same notes as its relative major.

Harmonic minor: F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D E♯ F♯. Raises the 7th note by a half step, which gives the scale its strong pull back to the tonic.

Melodic minor: F♯ G♯ A B C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯. Raises the 6th and 7th going up, then comes down as the natural minor.