F♯ Minor Chord (F#m, Gbm) on Piano
The F#m chord (F# minor) is built from 3 notes: F# – A – C#. It is also written as Gbm.
Play these notes on a MIDI keyboard, your computer keyboard, or the on-screen keys and ChordKeys will name the chord back to you.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from F# | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| F# | 1 | root | 0 |
| A | b3 | minor 3rd | 3 |
| C# | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
Inversions
Rearranging which note sits at the bottom gives you 3 playable voicings of the same chord. Inversions let you move between chords with less hand movement.
| Voicing | Notes | Bass note |
|---|---|---|
| Root position | F# – A – C# | F# in the bass |
| 1st inversion | A – C# – F# | A in the bass |
| 2nd inversion | C# – F# – A | C# in the bass |
How the minor chord is built
Every minor chord uses the same interval formula: 1 (0 semitones), b3 (3 semitones), 5 (7 semitones). Starting on F# and applying that formula produces F#, A, C#. Learn the formula once and you can build a minor chord on any of the twelve roots.
Keys that contain F#m
Every note of F#m belongs to these keys, so it will sit naturally in a progression written in any of them.
Other chords on F#
Minor chords on other roots
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a F#m chord?
A F#m chord contains the notes F#, A, C#. Those are the 1, b3, 5 degrees measured from the root note F#.
How do you play F#m on piano?
Place your thumb on F#, then add A and C# above it. With a right hand in root position the common fingering is 1–3–5.
Is F#m the same as Gbm?
Yes. F#m and Gbm are enharmonic equivalents — they sound identical and use the same piano keys. Which spelling you use depends on the key you are playing in.