F-sharp major/minor and G-flat major/minor are essentially the same keys using the same pitches but can be named either way.
Click on the scale name for a diagram and explanation of each scale type:
F♯ and G♭ Major Scale | F♯ and G♭ Natural Minor Scale | F♯ and G♭ Harmonic Minor Scale | F♯ and G♭ Melodic Minor Scale | F♯ and G♭ Major Pentatonic Scale | F♯ and G♭ Minor Pentatonic Scale | F♯ and G♭ Major Blues Scale | F♯ and G♭ Minor Blues Scale
The F-sharp major scale contains seven notes and starts and ends on F♯. Major scales are arranged in a specific pattern of whole and half steps: W-W-H-W-W-W-H.
The G♭ major scale contains seven notes and starts and ends on G♭. Major scales are arranged in a specific pattern of whole and half steps: W-W-H-W-W-W-H.
The F-sharp natural minor scale follows the key signature of its relative major: A major. In natural minor scales, there are no additional accidentals.
The relative major key of F-sharp minor is A major. Therefore, F-sharp minor has three sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯).
TIP: To find the relative major key, count up three half-steps from the minor key’s root note.
The G-flat natural minor scale follows the key signature of its relative major: A major (technically, B double flat major). In natural minor scales, there are no additional accidentals.
The relative major key of G-flat minor is B double flat major. Therefore, G-flat minor has five flats and two double-flats (A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, F♭, B♭♭, E♭♭).
Harmonic minor scales follow the key signature of the relative major key and raise the seventh note of the scale by one half-step.
The relative major key of F-sharp minor is A major and the seventh note of F-sharp minor is E. Therefore, F-sharp harmonic minor has three sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯) and E is raised to E♯.
The relative major key of G-flat minor is B double flat major and the seventh note of G-flat minor is F♭. Therefore, G-sharp harmonic minor has five flats and two double-flats (A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, F♭) and F♭ is raised to F.
In melodic minor scales, we raise the sixth and seventh notes up one half-step when ascending and lower them back down when descending. Melodic minor scales follow the key signature of the scale’s relative major.
The relative major key of F-sharp minor is A major. Therefore, F-sharp minor has three sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯) and D and E are the sixth and seventh notes. We raise D and E to D♯ and E♯ when ascending the melodic minor scale, and we lower them back to D and E when descending.
In melodic minor scales, we raise the sixth and seventh notes up one half-step when ascending and lower them back down when descending. Melodic minor scales follow the key signature of the scale’s relative major.
The relative major key of G-flat minor is B double flat major. Therefore, G-flat minor has five flats and two double flats (A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, F♭, B♭♭, E♭♭) and E♭♭ and F♭ are the sixth and seventh notes. We raise E♭♭ and F♭ to E♭ and F when ascending the melodic minor scale, and we lower them back to E♭♭ and F♭ when descending.
The F-sharp major pentatonic is a five-note scale built on the following major scale degrees: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6.
The G-flat major pentatonic is a five-note scale built on the following major scale degrees: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6.
The F-sharp minor pentatonic scale is a five-note scale built on the following minor scale degrees: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7.
You can also think of the F♯ minor pentatonic as being built on the following major scale degrees: 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7.
The G-flat minor pentatonic scale is a five-note scale built on the following minor scale degrees: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7.
You can also think of the G♭ minor pentatonic as being built on the following major scale degrees: 1, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭7.
The F-sharp major blues scale is built on the following major scale degrees: 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6.
The G-flat major blues scale is built on the following major scale degrees: 1, 2, ♭3, 3, 5, 6.
The F-sharp minor blues scale is built on the following minor scale degrees: 1, 3, 4, ♭5, 5, 7.
You can also think of the F-sharp minor blues scale as being built on the following major scale degrees: 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7.
The G-flat minor blues scale is built on the following minor scale degrees: 1, 3, 4, ♭5, 5, 7
You can also think of the G-flat minor blues scale as being built on the following major scale degrees: 1, ♭3, 4, ♭5, 5, ♭7.
Subscribe to The Note for exclusive interviews, fascinating articles, and inspiring lessons delivered straight to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time.
Pianote is the Ultimate Online Piano Lessons Experience™. Learn at your own pace, get expert lessons from real teachers and world-class pianists, and join a community of supportive piano players. Learn more about becoming a Member.
By signing up you’ll also receive our ongoing free lessons and special offers. Don’t worry, we value your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time.
We use cookies for traffic data and advertising. Cookie Policy »