F♯ Harmonic Major at a glance
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal. Built on the root F♯, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where F♯ is a comfortable tonal centre.
| Notes | F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D E♯ |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M |
| Step pattern | W W H W H W+H H |
| Chords in the key | F♯G♯°A♯mBmC♯D+E♯° |
Chords in the F♯ Harmonic Major scale
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
F♯ Harmonic Major on the piano
Improvisation drone · F♯
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
On the piano F♯ Harmonic Major uses four black keys (F♯, G♯, A♯ and C♯) and three white. E♯ is the white key you'd normally call F.
F♯ · G♯ · A♯ · B · C♯ · D · E♯
Try F♯ Harmonic Major on the virtual piano
Free, in your browser: play with the mouse, your computer keyboard or a USB MIDI keyboard. No sign-up.
F♯ Harmonic Major on the guitar
F♯ Harmonic Major - fr 0–12
F♯ Harmonic Major on the staff
Notes of the F♯ Harmonic Major scale
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F♯ | unison1P | 0 | |
| 2 | G♯ | major 2nd2M | 2 | |
| 3 | A♯ | major 3rd3M | 4 | |
| 4 | B | perfect 4th4P | 5 | |
| 5 | C♯ | perfect 5th5P | 7 | |
| 6 | D | minor 6th6m | 8 | |
| 7 | E♯ | major 7th7M | 11 |
What makes F♯ Harmonic Major different
Harmonic major is the major scale with a lowered sixth, the one note that separates it from major. The ♭6 opens an augmented second between the sixth and seventh degrees, the same gap harmonic minor has, but over a major tonic. It changes the subdominant: the iv chord is minor while V stays major, so the minor iv to I cadence is built into the scale. Its ♭VI chord is augmented. On F♯, F♯ Harmonic Major has D where F♯ Major has D♯; every other note is shared with F♯ Major (F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E♯).
How to use the F♯ Harmonic Major scale
The diatonic chords of F♯ Harmonic Major are: I = F♯, ii° = G♯°, iii = A♯m, iv = Bm, V = C♯, VI+ = D+, vii° = E♯°. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in F♯ Harmonic Major. Each one in the chord table on this page opens its own diagram and progressions.
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal.
Practice tips
Highlight the flat sixth over a major triad - it's the only note that distinguishes harmonic major from the standard major scale.
Formula & step pattern
The F♯ Harmonic Major scale follows a major scale with a flat sixth degree, blending major brightness with minor color. Step pattern: W - W - H - W - H - W+H - H. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2M · 3M · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7M. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Where you will hear F♯ Harmonic Major
Start with the music described above: listen for F♯ Harmonic Major in it and transcribe a few short phrases by ear. It's the quickest way to learn how the scale sounds.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the F♯ Harmonic Major scale?
The F♯ Harmonic Major scale contains F♯, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D and E♯.
What is the formula for the F♯ Harmonic Major scale?
F♯ Harmonic Major follows a major scale with a flat sixth degree, blending major brightness with minor color.
Is F♯ Harmonic Major a major or minor scale?
F♯ Harmonic Major is a harmonic major scale. Major scale with a flat sixth - bright tonic with a darker undertone, popular in modern jazz.
What chords belong to the F♯ Harmonic Major scale?
The diatonic chords of F♯ Harmonic Major are F♯, G♯°, A♯m, Bm, C♯, D+, E♯°.
Which genres use F♯ Harmonic Major?
Harmonic major is a modern jazz favourite - mixes the brightness of major with the colour of a flat sixth. Also shows up in film scoring and progressive metal.
How do you play the F♯ Harmonic Major scale on the piano?
On the piano F♯ Harmonic Major uses four black keys (F♯, G♯, A♯ and C♯) and three white. E♯ is the white key you'd normally call F.
What is the difference between F♯ Harmonic Major and F♯ Major?
On F♯, F♯ Harmonic Major has D where F♯ Major has D♯; every other note is shared with F♯ Major (F♯ G♯ A♯ B C♯ D♯ E♯).
How do I practise the F♯ Harmonic Major scale?
Highlight the flat sixth over a major triad - it's the only note that distinguishes harmonic major from the standard major scale.