F minor scale on guitar
The F minor scale has 7 notes: F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭ and E♭. The natural minor scale (also called the Aeolian mode) lowers the 3rd, 6th and 7th of the major scale. It gives minor keys their darker, more serious colour.
Notes in F minor
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
- Step pattern
- W – H – W – W – H – W – W
- Notes
- 7
Tap a note to hear it.
F minor across the neck
Every F minor note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, F. A good place to start: F on the low E string is at fret 1, so play the notes between frets 0 and 4 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from F |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | Root |
| 2 | G | Major 2nd |
| ♭3 | A♭ | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | B♭ | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | C | Perfect 5th |
| ♭6 | D♭ | Minor 6th |
| ♭7 | E♭ | Minor 7th |
Chords in F minor
Stack every other note of the scale and you get these triads. Any of them will sound “at home” with the F minor scale.
H = half step (1 fret), W = whole step (2 frets). Roman numerals: uppercase is major, lowercase is minor, ° is diminished, + is augmented.
Related scales
- Its relative major is A♭ major: the same seven notes, starting from the ♭3rd.
- Drop the 2nd and ♭6th and you get F minor pentatonic. Raise the 7th for F harmonic minor, or the 6th for F Dorian.
Questions
What notes are in the F minor scale?
F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭. Its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7.
Where do I start the F minor scale on guitar?
F on the low E string is at fret 1, so play the notes between frets 0 and 4 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every F minor note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to F minor?
Its relative major is A♭ major: the same seven notes, starting from the ♭3rd.
More scales
Minor in every key
Other scales from F