Scale degrees · F♯ major
The 3 of F♯ is A♯
The 3 (three) of F♯ (F sharp, F#) is A♯ (A sharp): a major third above the root.
F♯ — the root, 1A♯ — the 3
How to find it
Count letters first, the root included: F, G, A. A 3rd lands on A.
Then the sound: a major third is 4 semitones above F♯, and the A that is 4 semitones up is A♯.
That is why it is A♯ and not B♭: B♭ is the same key on the piano, but from F♯ it would be a 4th, not a 3rd.
Where you meet it
The 3 decides major or minor. With the 7 it is a guide tone: the two notes that say what a chord is.
In F♯ major:
F♯ · A♯ · C♯
The 3 in every key
| Key | The 3 |
|---|---|
| C | E |
| G | B |
| D | F♯ |
| A | C♯ |
| E | G♯ |
| B | D♯ |
| F♯ | A♯ |
| D♭ | F |
| A♭ | C |
| E♭ | G |
| B♭ | D |
| F | A |
Every degree of F♯
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