This year was a good one. Naturally you want to prepare for a solid jam so you can go out with a BANG! For that you need a tight flow and a steady beat. Yes, we are talking about hip-hop. Check out our selection of tracks in F#m and start practicing.
But first, some basic theory. The chord F#m is derived from the key F#m. The scale that goes with that key consists of the notes: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, and E. Now why is it important to know all this?
The notes from the scale are always used in songs that are composed in this key. For example, the chords in tracks written in F#m are in essence part of the scale. Does all this sound like jibber-jabber to you? Just check out the examples below.
Drip too Hard – Lil’ Baby x Gunna
“Drip too Hard” by Lil’ Baby and Gunna is a very good track to try out in a band formation. Apart from the rapping it is interesting how the bass clearly accentuates a tone while the guitar plucks the corresponding chord.
You have to be a bit advanced in strumming, but striking chords like F#m, C#m, A, D, and E is something a beginner can do as well. The rhythm of the track is a nice tight four-four time. By the way, compare the chord progression with the scale of F#m. What do you see?
Non Stop – Drake
When we talk about going out with a BANG! “Non Stop” by Drake is a nice track to do so. Now I hear the gears in your head turning and cracking: “This is an electronic beat, isn’t it? How can I play it on my guitar?!” That’s right! But a beat is a beat, so if you follow the chord progression and keep up the tempo, you’ll soon have a nice guitar variation on this track.
In this song the chord progression is not going to be the problem. Again, this song follows the scale of the F#m very closely and it has a total of three chords. Two are the basis: A and D. The third is no surprise since it is our one-and-only chord of the week: F#m.
Eager – Pete Philly & Perquisite
For all the “Eager” musicians among us, the track of Pete Philly and Perquisite is both a training in seventh chords and a good exercise on how to put down a laid-back groove. The funk is strong in this one. Just like with the previous tracks you soon notice that the core chords of this song are no more than four.
The rest is a variation on those chords. Just observe how the F#m sounds even funkier by transforming it into a seventh chord by removing just one finger. The same goes for the Bm and the Em. This is no rocket science and not very difficult, especially for the advanced beginner.
I’m a Mess – Bebe Rexha
Are you fed up with those four-chord tracks and would you like a nice campfire sing-along? Then “I’m a Mess” by Bebe Rexha is the track you’re looking for. Jam it hard on January first early in the morning and see how your neighbors react.
As for the chords, this song is an exercise in basics, plus a little bit extra. The verse consists of Bm, A, F#m, G, D and is followed by a pre-chorus which is formed by F#m, E, A, and D. This is the buildup to the part in which the song explodes in the chorus: Bm, A, and F#m. In conclusion: this is the perfect song to kill a boring day. Happy jamming!
