Piano chord
F♯mF sharp minor
- F♯1
- A♭3
- C♯5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play F♯m on piano
- Find F♯: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on F♯, 3 on A, 5 on C♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on F♯, 3 on A, 1 on C♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · F♯ – A – C♯
1st inversion · A – C♯ – F♯
2nd inversion · C♯ – F♯ – A
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
F♯m inversions
Here are all 3 positions of F♯m. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has F♯ at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: F♯Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: ARight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: C♯Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Chords that go with F♯m
The other chords of F sharp minor, the key where F♯m is home (i). Songs in this key move between them.
F♯m with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays F♯ an octave lower, the right hand plays F♯–A–C♯.
F♯m on other instruments
About the F♯m chord
The 3 notes of F sharp minor are F♯ (1), A (♭3), C♯ (5). A minor triad: the third is lowered by a semitone, which gives it the darker, softer sound. Move the middle key one key down from the major chord and you have it.
Put your thumb on F♯ and count up: F♯ – A – C♯. The whole chord spans 7 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers F♯m without stretching.
The inversions of F♯m keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is A (A–C♯–F♯). In the 2nd inversion the bass is C♯ (C♯–F♯–A).
Take E out of F♯m7 and you get F♯m.
F♯m belongs to D major (iii), A major (vi), E major (ii), B minor (v), F sharp minor (i).
Questions
What notes are in the F♯m chord?
F♯m (F sharp minor) has 3 notes: F♯ (1), A (♭3), C♯ (5).
How many inversions does F♯m have?
F♯m can be played in 3 positions: Root position (F♯–A–C♯); 1st inversion (A–C♯–F♯); 2nd inversion (C♯–F♯–A).
What is the difference between F♯m and F♯m7?
Take E out of F♯m7 and you get F♯m.
Can I play F♯m with one hand?
Yes. In root position F♯m spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.