Explore scales · Guitar
F♯ acoustic scale on guitar
F♯ acoustic uses F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯, D♯, E. Box 1 places the raised fourth on the second string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the F♯ acoustic scale on guitar?
F♯ acoustic in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. The root falls on the low E string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | A♯, B♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2 | B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
F♯ acoustic in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 13 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the low E string at fret 2, the D string at fret 4 and the high e string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4 | B♯, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | A♯, B♯ |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4, 5 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
F♯ acoustic in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 14 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to A♯ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the D string at fret 4 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6, 7 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6 | B♯, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5, 7 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
F♯ acoustic in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8, 9 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 8–11
F♯ acoustic in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 16 notes across 6 strings, from B♯ on the low E string at fret 8 up to D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 9 and the G string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9, 11 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
F♯ acoustic in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 16 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the low E string at fret 14, the G string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13 | G♯, A♯ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13, 14 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ acoustic raises the fourth of F♯ mixolydian from B to B♯. The scale is built 1, 2, 3, ♯4, 5, 6, ♭7. This creates a Lydian Dominant sound, also called Overtone or Lydian ♭7. Compare it with F♯ mixolydian to hear the altered fourth.
When to use it
Use F♯ acoustic over F♯7, F♯ major, or F♯ 5th chords in rock, fusion, and jazz. The ♯4 adds tension over dominant chords. Try it over F♯ major or F♯ 5th progressions.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on the sixth string and covers frets 0–3 for quick access to the ♯4.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ acoustic?
F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯, D♯, E. The raised fourth is B♯ and the flat seventh is E. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit F♯ acoustic?
F♯7, F♯ major, and F♯ 5th work well. The scale also fits over G♯ major and C♯ minor in progressions.
How is F♯ acoustic different from F♯ mixolydian?
F♯ acoustic has a B♯ instead of B. That raised fourth creates the Lydian Dominant sound.