6.18 The F sharp minor scale

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.

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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#.

 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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#.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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#.