F# Major Circle (F#)
I - vi - ii - V7 progression in F# major with first fret barres
F# major uses a barre on fret 1 of strings 1 and 2 with finger 1, finger 2 on fret 2 of string 3, and finger 3 on fret 3 of string 4. For D# minor cover frets 3, 3, 2, and 1 with fingers 3, 4, 2, and 1. For G# minor place fingers on frets 1, 3, 4, and 2. Moving to C#7 lay a flat barre on fret 1 and place finger 2 on fret 2 of string 1.
How the chords connect in F# major
The progression
F#, D#m, G#m and C#7 make up the F# major circle, as degrees I, vi, ii and V7. At 80 beats per minute, each bar of 4/4 lasts about 3 seconds and the whole round about 12.
The notes of each chord
F# holds F#, A# and C#. In D#m you hear D#, F# and A#. G#m holds G#, B and D#. In C#7 you hear C#, E#, G# and B.
From one chord to the next
F# and D#m keep F# and A# in common. Also, three hand positions stay put. From D#m to G#m, D# stays, and one hand position stays put. G#m and C#7 keep G# and B in common. Also, two hand positions stay put.
Back to the start
Going back from C#7 to F#, E# rises a semitone to F# and B falls a semitone to A#. The two chords share C#.
The hand
F# needs a barre at fret 1. D#m presses four positions and leaves no string open. G#m presses four positions and leaves no string open. C#7 takes a barre at fret 1. The highest fret in the circle is fret 4, in G#m. F# and C#7 use a barre.
Key map: F#
- Key signature
- 6 sharps
- Scale notes
- F# – G# – A# – B – C# – D# – E#
The 7 chords of the key
- IF#
- iiG#m
- iiiA#m
- IVB
- VC#
- viD#m
- vii°E#dim
- Relative key
- D#m
F# Major Circle (F#) circle for ukulele
F# 3121 · D#m 3321 · G#m 1342 · C#7 1112
Show ukulele tab and notation
Questions about this ukulele circle
How do you master barre chord changes on fret 1 in F sharp?
Fret 1 requires pressing close to the nut, so rolling the index finger slightly onto its outer side edge reduces hand fatigue.
What role does D sharp minor play in this key?
It serves as the relative minor of chord I, adding a reflective mood before leading into the subdominant G sharp minor.
Why does C sharp 7 resolve so cleanly to F sharp?
Because it contains the harmonic tritone resolving directly into the third and root of the F sharp major chord.