6.18 The F sharp minor scale
| Category: Harmony | Tags: Minor scales |
Theory
In this chapter, you’ll learn how you can make the F sharp minor scale by applying the sequence: whole - half - whole - whole - half - whole - whole, starting from F sharp. You’ll also learn how to make the harmonic and melodic F sharp minor scale. In the videos, I show how to play the F sharp minor scale on the piano.
1. The structure of the F sharp minor scale
Every minor scale consists of the following sequence: whole - half - whole - whole - half - whole - whole. When you apply this sequence starting from F sharp, you get the tones F# G# A B C# D E F#.
Video
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Examples
Which tones will you get if you construct a minor scale, starting from F sharp?
The F sharp minor scale is comprised of the notes: F# G# A B C# D E F#.
The F sharp minor scale has three sharps: F sharp, C sharp and G sharp.
This scale is also called the natural F sharp minor scale.
2. The F sharp minor scale played on the piano
The F sharp minor scale ascending and descending, played by the right hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the F sharp minor scale played with the right hand.
The F sharp minor scale ascending and descending, played by the left hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the F sharp minor scale played with the left hand.
3. The structure of the harmonic F sharp minor scale
In the harmonic minor scale, the seventh note is raised. When you apply this to the F sharp minor scale, you get the tones F# G# A B C# D E# F#.
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Examples
In the harmonic F sharp minor scale, E, the seventh note, is raised to become an E#.
4. The harmonic F sharp minor scale played on the piano
The harmonic F sharp minor scale ascending and descending, played by the right hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the harmonic F sharp minor scale played with the right hand.
The harmonic F sharp minor scale ascending and descending, played by the left hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the harmonic F sharp minor scale played with the left hand.
5. The structure of the melodic F sharp minor scale
In the melodic minor scale, the sixth and the seventh notes are both raised. When you apply this to the F sharp minor scale, you get the tones F# G# A B C# D# E# F#.
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Examples
In the melodic F sharp minor scale, D and E, the sixth and the seventh notes, are both raised and become D# and E#.
Descending, the sixth and seventh tones of the melodic minor scale are often not raised, but played as the natural F sharp minor scale.
6. The melodic F sharp minor scale played on the piano
The melodic F sharp minor scale ascending, played by the right hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the melodic F sharp minor scale played with the right hand.
The melodic F sharp minor scale ascending, played by the left hand over one and over two octaves.
The fingering of the melodic F sharp minor scale played with the left hand.
Tab
The F sharp minor scale
- The F sharp minor scale is comprised of the notes F# G# A B C# D E F#.
- The F sharp minor scale has three sharps: F sharp, C sharp and G sharp.
- In the harmonic F sharp minor scale, E, the seventh note, is raised to become an E#.
- In the melodic F sharp minor scale, D and E, the sixth and the seventh notes, are both raised and become D# and E#.