F minor
Minor key with four flats; relative minor of A-flat major.
What it means
F minor is the minor key with four flats in its key signature: B-flat, E-flat, A-flat, and D-flat. Its tonic is F, and its relative major is A-flat major. On the circle of fifths it lies four steps on the flat side. In the harmonic and melodic forms E is added as a raised seventh degree, the leading tone.
Musical use
F minor is regarded as a key of serious, dark, and passionate expression. Ludwig van Beethoven's piano sonata op. 57, the Appassionata, is in F minor, as are his string quartet op. 95 and Frédéric Chopin's Fantasy op. 49. F minor is also popular in piano music because the many black keys ease the hand's task.
F minor should be distinguished from F-sharp minor, which has three sharps, and from A-flat major, its relative major with the same key signature but a brighter character. It also differs in signature and expression from F major, which has only one flat and sounds considerably friendlier.
Performance practice
Practise the harmonic minor scale with the leading tone E especially carefully, because the step from D-flat to E is an augmented second. Make sure of secure fingerings in the four flats and check the intonation of the lowered notes when singing or bowing.