The Key Of F Minor For Guitar

The key of F minor contains the notes: F – G – Ab – Bb – C – Db – Eb

When assembled in order the notes form the F natural minor scale. For a quick breakdown of the key differences between the natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales click here.

If you would like to understand more about using musical keys click here.

Table of Contents

Who does the key of F Minor use Flats and not sharps?

The key of F minor uses flats in its key signature because F minor is derived from the natural minor scale associated with the relative major key of Ab major. In music theory, relative keys share the same key signature, with the only difference being the starting note (tonic).

Ab major has four flats in its key signature (Bb, Eb, Ab, and Db). Since F minor is its relative minor, it inherits the same key signature, which includes those four flats. This relationship maintains consistency in notation and helps simplify the music theory associated with these keys.

The F Minor Scale Step Pattern

The F minor scale (like all minor scales) follows the step pattern of:
whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole

The F Minor Scale For Guitar

The F minor scale (like all minor scales) follows the step pattern of:
whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole

Keep in mind, that scales can be played in many different ways.

Chords In The Key Of F Minor

All chords within a minor key such as F minor follow a pattern of:

minor, diminished, Major, minor, minor, Major, Major

min	dim	Maj	min	min	Maj	Maj
f	g	Ab	bb	c	Db	Eb

* capitals denote major chords, lower case denotes minor chords

Chord	Notes
F minor	F, Ab, C
g diminished	G, Bb, Db
Ab Major	Ab, C, Eb
bb minor	Bb, Db, F
c minor	C, Eb, G
Db Major	Db, F, Ab
Eb Major	Eb, G, Bb

7th Chords in F Minor

Seventh chords include the tonic (1st), third, fifth, and seventh scale degrees of a diatonic scale (a seven-note musical scale consisting of whole and half steps), unlike triads which contain just three notes.

The seventh chord quality (such as major, minor, diminished, or augmented.) can vary depending on the type of seventh interval used in the chord. There are several types of seventh chords, each with its unique sound and function in music.

Chord	Notes
F minor 7	F, Ab, C, Eb
g diminished 7	G, Bb, Db, F
Ab Major 7	Ab, C, Eb, G
bb minor 7	Bb, Db, F, Ab
c minor 7	C, Eb, G, Bb
Db Major 7	Db, F, Ab, C
Eb Dominant 7 (Eb7)	Eb, G, Bb, Db

Chord Function in F Minor

Chords can be categorized into three main functions: tonic, subdominant, and dominant. Tonic chords (i, VI) provide stability. Subdominant chords (iv, ii) introduce some tension but not as much as dominant chords (v, VII) which create the most tension and typically lead to a resolution.

Tonic	Supertonic	Mediant	Subdominant	Dominant	Submediant	Subtonic
i	ii	III	iv	v	VI	VII
fmin	gdim	Abmaj	bbmin	cmin	Dbmaj	Ebmaj

* capitals denote major chords, lower case denotes minor chords

For example, The i chord (minor tonic) serves as the central point of stability, it’s home base for the key. As it is constructed on the tonic note of the minor scale (e.g., F in the key of F minor) it provides resolution.

Alternatively, In the key of F minor, the dominant chord is c min which creates a strong pull back to the tonic chord, F minor, creating a sense of resolution when the chord progression resolves back to the tonic.

Common Chord Progressions In F Minor

i – VI – VII	fmin – Dbmaj – Ebmaj
i – VII – iv- VI	fmin – Ebmaj – bbmin – Dbmaj
i – v – VI – VII	fmin – cmin – Dbmaj – Ebmaj
i – III – VII – VI	fmin – Abmaj – Ebmaj – Dbmaj
i – v – iv – VII	fmin – cmin – bbmin – Ebmaj

Relative Major

The relative major refers to the major key that shares the same key signature as a minor key. In simple terms, they use the same set of notes, but their tonal centers (the tonic) are different e.g. the relative minor starts on the 6th scale degree of the relative major.

In minor keys, the relative major’s tonic note is the 3rd scale degree of the relative minor scale, meaning in the key of F minor, Ab Major is the relative major.