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F♯ harmonic minor scale on guitar
F♯ harmonic minor uses F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D, E♯. Box 1 places the root on string 6 fret 2 for a compact five-fret span.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the F♯ harmonic minor scale on guitar?
F♯ harmonic minor in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 15 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. 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, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4, 5 | B, C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4 | E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 3 | C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4, 5 | F♯, G♯, A |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
F♯ harmonic minor in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 16 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. 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, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6, 7 | B, C♯, D |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7 | E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5, 7 | G♯, A, B |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
F♯ harmonic minor in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 15 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. 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) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9 | E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 10 | D, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
F♯ harmonic minor in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 15 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. 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) | 9, 10 | C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11, 12 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10, 12 | G♯, A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10 | C♯, D |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ harmonic minor raises the seventh degree of F♯ natural minor from E to E♯, creating a leading tone. The scale follows W, H, W, W, H, 1½, H. The augmented second between D and E♯ gives it a distinctive Middle Eastern color. Compare with F♯ natural minor to hear the raised seventh.
When to use it
Use F♯ harmonic minor over F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. It also fits C♯ major as the dominant. The raised seventh creates a strong pull to the tonic, making it ideal for classical cadences and flamenco progressions.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root on string 6 fret 2 keeps the hand in one position. It covers frets 2–5 and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
What notes are in F♯ harmonic minor?
F♯ harmonic minor contains F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D, and E♯. The raised seventh is E♯. The scale has an augmented second between D and E♯. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does F♯ harmonic minor fit?
F♯ harmonic minor fits F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. It also works over C♯ major as the dominant. The scale outlines an F♯ minor tonality with a major V chord.
How does F♯ harmonic minor differ from F♯ natural minor?
F♯ harmonic minor raises the seventh degree from E to E♯. This creates a leading tone that pulls strongly to the tonic. The natural minor has a whole step between the sixth and seventh degrees.