Banjo · Level 3 · Beginner
Playing in a minor key in F♯ minor on Banjo
Don’t just read about Playing in a minor key in F♯ minor. Play it.
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In a minor key the home chord is minor, and so are the chords on the fourth and fifth notes. This progression is the simplest way to hear what a minor key feels like.
F♯m
Notes: F♯ · A · C♯
Bm
Notes: B · D · F♯
C♯m
Notes: C♯ · E · G♯
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: F♯m, Bm and C♯m. 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 53 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Play slightly softer than in a major key and let each chord ring for the whole bar.
- Pinch the bass and top strings on beat one, then roll thumb–index–middle through the other strings.
- Raise the tempo to 70 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for a calm, settled feeling when you arrive back on i.
Listen for
Aim for a calm, settled feeling when you arrive back on i. A common mistake is playing the minor v as major by habit.
Why it works
These chords come from the natural minor scale. Later lessons raise the third of v to make a stronger pull home.
F♯ minor has 3 sharps; its relative major key is A major.
Questions
What are the chords in i–iv–v–i in F♯ minor?
In F♯ minor the progression is F♯m | Bm | C♯m | F♯m.
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 3 lesson (beginner). If it feels too hard, start with “Suspended chords”.
Your hands learn faster than your eyes.
Reading a chord chart is step one. Play it to a metronome, record it, and hear yourself get better, all in one app.
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