F# major
Major key. Scale: F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E#.
Octaves
Musical context
How the key relates to the chord, scale, mode and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- F# major
- Mode
- Major
- Tonic
- F#
- Key signature
6 sharps: F, G, A, C, D, E.
- Key character
- Scale degree 3 clearly distinguishes major from the parallel minor, while the leading tone strengthens V–I resolution. In equal temperament, tonic pitch alone does not determine mood; melody, harmony, register, tempo, and texture do.
- Overview
- The F# major key sets its stable tones and typical harmonic connections. Major keys are built on the Ionian mode (steps 2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 2 – 1), minor keys on the Aeolian (2 – 1 – 2 – 2 – 1 – 2 – 2). The number of accidentals marks the key's position on the circle of fifths.
Key composition
1F#root
2G#major 2nd
3A#major 3rd
4Bperfect 4th
5C#perfect 5th
6D#major 6th
7E#major 7th
Key construction
- Interval formula
- F#WG#WA#HBWC#WD#WE#
- Explanation
- The major scale follows the pattern whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. Its degrees form the key’s diatonic chords, while scale degree 3 defines the major quality.
Related keys
- Relative key
- D# minor
- Parallel key
- F# minor
- Reference mode
- F# Ionian (major)
Harmonic functions
TTonicI (F#), III (A#), vi (D#m)
SSubdominantii (G#m), IV (B)
DDominantV (C#)
- Overview
- Tonic is the stable centre of a key. Predominant function moves away from tonic and prepares dominant; dominant points toward resolution in tonic. The scheme Tonic → Predominant → Dominant → Tonic describes a basic functional progression but does not exhaust tonal harmony.
Chords by degree
Primary triads
- Tonic triad 1 – 3 – 5
- Subdominant triad 4 – 6 – 1
- Dominant triad 5 – 7 – 2
F#—A#—C#
B—D#—F#
C#—E#—G#
Tensions & resolutions
VIIE#E#
IF#F#
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IVBB
IIIA#A#
In dominant harmony, scale degree 4 normally falls by semitone to 3.
IIG#G#
IF#F#
Scale degree 2 may resolve downward by step to tonic.
Harmonic context
F# major is a major key. Diatonic chords are built on its seven scale degrees, and functional motion commonly connects tonic, predominant, and dominant.
Natural progressions
Cadences
VC#C#
IF#F#
An authentic cadence resolves dominant function into tonic.
IVBB
VC#C#
IF#F#
A complete functional progression connects predominant, dominant, and tonic.
This key on guitar 🎸
See how F# major looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
Usage & Practice
Application in music
- Major-key diatonic chords support motion among tonic, predominant, and dominant without leaving the key.
- The authentic V – I progression emphasises the tonal centre through the leading tone and resolution of the dominant tritone.
- Patterns such as I – V – vi – IV can be transposed into this key without changing scale-degree relationships.
- Musical character depends not only on mode and tonic but also on melody, rhythm, register, tempo, texture, and timbre.
Practice
- Play the tonic chord (F#), then compare it with the other diatonic chords: tonic serves as the stable centre of the key.
- Alternate F# and C# (I – V – I), focusing on the leading tone resolving to tonic.
- Add B (IV): play B – C# – F# to hear predominant–dominant–tonic motion.
- Sing the key's scale, emphasizing degrees I, III and V — these are the anchor notes.
- Improvise a melody starting and ending on the tonic to reinforce the sense of center.
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.