Also written F7♯5, F or F Dominant 7th ♯5
F 7th sharp 5 contains F, A, C♯, and E♭. The default voicing at the 9th fret requires a wide four-finger stretch.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
F 7th sharp 5 is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7. The augmented 5th, C♯, gives the chord its sharp, biting quality. Compare it to F 7th, which uses a perfect 5th.
F 7th sharp 5 suits rock, blues, and jazz lines that need a raised 5th. It pairs well with F major and F 7th.
The C♯ inversion puts the augmented 5th in the bass, creating a tense, unstable sound. The E♭ inversion has the ♭7 in the bass and is higher on the neck. Choose the C♯ inversion for a more dissonant line.
F 7th sharp 5 is played at the 7th fret as 9 8 7 8: pinky finger on the E string at fret 9, middle finger on the A string at fret 8, index finger on the D string at fret 7 and ring finger on the G string at fret 8.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 9th fret on the E string while the index holds the 7th fret on the D string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 4 | C♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 2 | F (1) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 1 | A (3) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 3 | E♭ (♭7) |
F 7th sharp 5 is played at the 10th fret as 11 12 11 10: middle finger on the E string at fret 11, pinky finger on the A string at fret 12, ring finger on the D string at fret 11 and index finger on the G string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 2 | E♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (3) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 3 | C♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 1 | F (1) |
F 7th sharp 5 is written as F7♯5 or F7+5. The symbol F7♯5 is the most common.
F 7th sharp 5 adds a minor 7th, E♭, to the augmented triad F–A–C♯. F augmented has only the root, major 3rd, and augmented 5th. The 7th makes the chord dominant and more dissonant.
F 7th sharp 5 works as a passing chord between F 7th and F 9th. Its raised 5th creates tension that resolves to the next chord. Use it briefly on a weak beat.