Construction
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| F | Root | 1 |
| A♭ | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| C♯ | Minor 6th | ♯5 |
| E♭ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
Fingering
| Note | Key color | Right hand | Left hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | white | thumb (1) | little finger (5) |
| A♭ | black | index finger (2) | middle finger (3) |
| C♯ | black | middle finger (3) | index finger (2) |
| E♭ | black | little finger (5) | thumb (1) |
Right hand: thumb (1) on F, index finger (2) on A♭, middle finger (3) on C♯, little finger (5) on E♭.
Left hand: little finger (5) on F, middle finger (3) on A♭, index finger (2) on C♯, thumb (1) on E♭.
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the F Minor 7♯5 is the tonic (i) chord of F Minor, which shares the signature of its relative major, A♭ Major: 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭).
Order of flats
Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.
Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Chords in the Key of F Minor
These are the triads built on each degree of F Minor:
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes F – A♭ – C♯ – E♭ aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell: