Key

The key of F♯ major · 6 sharps: F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯ A♯ E♯

Major keys sound bright and settled. The I, IV and V chords do most of the work; the minor ii, iii and vi add color.

Relative minor: D♯ minor — the same notes and key signature. Parallel minor: F♯ minor. Scale: F♯ major scale.

Notes in the key

F♯G♯A♯BC♯D♯E♯

Chords in F♯ major

One chord on each note of the scale. Roman numerals show each chord’s position — uppercase for major, lowercase for minor.

Left-handed

I F♯

F♯ A♯ C♯

ii G♯m

G♯ B D♯

iii A♯m

A♯ C♯ E♯

IV B

B D♯ F♯

V C♯

C♯ E♯ G♯

vi D♯m

D♯ F♯ A♯

vii° E♯dim

E♯ G♯ B

Common progressions in F♯ major

The pop progression I–V–vi–IV F♯ – C♯ – D♯m – B Three-chord rock I–IV–V–IV F♯ – B – C♯ – B The ’50s progression I–vi–IV–V F♯ – D♯m – B – C♯ The minor-feel pop progression vi–IV–I–V D♯m – B – F♯ – C♯ The 12-bar blues 12-bar blues F♯7 – B7 – C♯7 The jazz cadence ii–V–I G♯m7 – C♯7 – F♯maj7 The turnaround I–vi–ii–V F♯ – D♯m – G♯m – C♯ Pachelbel’s Canon I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V F♯ – C♯ – D♯m – A♯m – B – F♯ – B – C♯ The Mixolydian rock progression I–♭VII–IV–I F♯ – E – B – F♯

Circle of fifths

Each step clockwise adds a sharp (or removes a flat). Neighbors on the circle share all but one note, so F♯ major’s closest keys are right next to it — and its relative minor sits on the inner ring. Click any key to open it.