F# Minor Cavaquinho Scale
Cavaquinho scale in Standard tuning — fretboard diagram
F# Minor in Standard — Notes and Intervals
The F# Minor scale, also known as the Aeolian mode or natural minor, is the standard for expressing melancholy, introspection, and drama. On Cavaquinho, its notes are F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E. Its sound is darker and more somber than the major scale, widely used in songwriting to evoke deep emotional narratives and serving as the foundation of traditional minor-key compositions. The diatonic chords of F# Minor are F#m7, G#m7b5, Amaj7, Bm7, C#m7, Dmaj7, E7. Commonly used in Rock, Pop, Metal, Classical, R&B. Notable players include Metallica, Adele, Beethoven. Use over minor triads, m7, m9 chords. Works across the entire minor key. Avoid over dominant chords that want a leading tone.
Notes: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5P, 6m, 7m
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
Formula: W-H-W-W-H-W-W
Number of notes: 7
Tuning: Standard (D-B-G-D)
Also known as: aeolian
Diatonic Chords
F♯m7 — G♯m7♭5 — Amaj7 — Bm7 — C♯m7 — Dmaj7 — E7