Explore scales · Guitar
F♯ major scale on guitar
F♯ major uses the notes F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, and E♯. Box 1 spans frets 2–4 and places the root on the sixth string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
How do you play the F♯ major scale on guitar?
F♯ major in box 1 runs from fret 2 to fret 4, 12 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) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 4 | E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4 | A♯, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
F♯ major in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 15 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, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6, 7 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6, 7 | G♯, A♯, B |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
F♯ major in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 17 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, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8, 9 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7, 9 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
F♯ major in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 13 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 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) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11 | E♯, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
F♯ major in box 5 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, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13, 14 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12, 14 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13, 14 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ major follows the whole-step, whole-step, half-step, whole-step, whole-step, whole-step, half-step pattern. The F♯ major pentatonic drops the fourth and seventh degrees. Its altered interval creates tension while the supplied root and remaining tones stay fixed.
When to use it
F♯ major fits F♯ major and F♯ 5th chords. It also works over the key's diatonic chords like B major and C♯ major. Use it for bright, sharp-key rock and jazz.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 6, fret 2 keeps the scale low and accessible.
Common questions
What notes are in the F♯ major scale?
F♯ major contains F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D♯, and E♯. The scale has six sharps. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit the F♯ major scale?
F♯ major works over F♯ major and F♯ 5th chords. It also fits B major and C♯ major. The seventh degree, E♯, leads strongly to F♯.
What is the relative minor of F♯ major?
The relative minor of F♯ major is D♯ minor. Both scales share the same key signature of six sharps. D♯ minor starts on the sixth degree of F♯ major.