Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana is in the key of F Minor, with a tempo of 117 BPM and a Camelot code of 4A. Below are the full scale notes, the diatonic chords you can play over it, the Indian classical raga that maps to this key, and other songs in the same key for harmonic mixing or practice.
Scale & Notes of F Minor
The F Minor scale is built from these seven notes:
FGG#A#CC#D#
Its relative key is G# Major (same notes), and its parallel key is F Major. If you're transposing or looking for a vocal-comfortable key, those are the natural neighbours.
Chords in F Minor
The seven diatonic triads in this key — the chord palette most of the song will draw from:
| Degree | Chord | Quality |
|---|
| i | Fm | Minor |
| ii° | Gdim | Diminished |
| III | G# | Major |
| iv | A#m | Minor |
| v | Cm | Minor |
| VI | C# | Major |
| VII | D# | Major |
Indian Classical: the Kafi thaat
In Hindustani classical terms, F Minor maps to the Kafi thaat (Western mode: Dorian). Dorian mode — minor scale with a natural 6th. Common in jazz and folk music (Santana, 'So What' by Miles Davis). In Indian music it gives a gentle, romantic character. Traditional listening time: Afternoon to midnight.
If you want to sing or practise in this key, set your tonic (Sa) to F. Ragas built on this thaat:
- Kafi — Pure Dorian — ♭3 and ♭7, natural 2nd and 6th. Romantic, folk-like, seasonal (Holi).
- Pilu — Dorian with chromatic passing notes — very flexible. Light classical, semi-classical (Any time).
- Bhimpalasi — Dorian pentatonic (omits 2nd & 6th). Meditative, longing (Afternoon).
- Bageshri — Dorian with omitted 5th in ascent — intimate, introspective. Romantic, feminine (Late night).
- Patdeep — Dorian with both ♮3 and ♭3 in descent. Tender, seasonal (Afternoon).
Set Tanpura to F →Practise in this key →Find another song's key →
Harmonic mixing (for DJs)
Smells Like Teen Spirit sits at Camelot 4A. For a smooth harmonic transition, mix it with tracks in 3A, 4B, 5A — adjacent keys on the Camelot wheel that share most of their notes.