Banjo · Level 7 · Advanced
The minor blues in F♯ minor on Banjo
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The minor blues follows the familiar 12-bar shape with minor seventh chords and a ♭VI7–V7 approach. It is a core jazz and blues form.
F♯m7
Notes: F♯ · A · C♯ · E
Bm7
Notes: B · D · F♯ · A
D7
Notes: D · F♯ · A · C
C♯7
Notes: C♯ · E♯ · G♯ · B
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: F♯m7, Bm7, D7 and C♯7. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
- The short fifth string (g) is only played open; let it ring when it fits the chord.
- Set the tempo to 66 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Mark bar nine clearly; it is where the ♭VI7 changes the colour.
- Pinch the bass and top strings on beat one, then roll thumb–index–middle through the other strings.
- Raise the tempo to 88 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for the half-step fall from ♭VI7 to V7.
Listen for
Aim for the half-step fall from ♭VI7 to V7. A common mistake is losing the form during the long stretches on i.
Why it works
♭VI7 is a tritone substitute for the V7 of V, leading by half step into V7.
F♯ minor has 3 sharps; its relative major key is A major.
Questions
What are the chords in i–iv–i–♭VI7–V7–i in F♯ minor?
In F♯ minor the progression is F♯m7 | F♯m7 | F♯m7 | F♯m7 | Bm7 | Bm7 | F♯m7 | F♯m7 | D7 | C♯7 | F♯m7 | C♯7.
What is the key signature of F♯ minor?
F♯ minor has 3 sharps. Its relative major is A major.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 7 lesson (advanced). If it feels too hard, start with “Borrowed chords: the minor iv”.
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