Also written F♯5, F♯ or F♯ power chord
F♯ 5th contains F♯ and C♯, the root and perfect fifth. This shape moves the F 5th pattern up one fret, adding a sharp to both notes.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
F♯ 5th is built from the 1 and 5 of the F♯ major scale, leaving out the third. The perfect fifth between F♯ and C♯ gives the chord its open, neutral sound. Compare F♯ major, which adds the major third A♯ for a fuller harmony.
F♯ 5th works as the tonic in F♯ major progressions like F♯–B–C♯–F♯, the I–IV–V–I. It also appears in F♯ major and A♭ minor contexts. Use it for driving rock or punk bass lines where the root-fifth punch cuts through.
The 2nd fret position keeps F♯ as the lowest note for a solid foundation. The 9th fret position uses the same shape an octave higher for brighter fills. The F♯5/C♯ inversion at the 9th fret puts C♯ in the bass, which softens the root emphasis.
F♯ 5th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 4 4 ×: index finger on the E string at fret 2, middle finger on the A string at fret 4 and ring finger on the D string at fret 4. The G string stays muted.
Tip — The index finger must hold the low E at the 2nd fret while the middle and ring fingers stretch to the 4th fret on adjacent strings.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (1) |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 2 | C♯ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 4 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
F♯ 5th is played at the 9th fret as × 9 11 11: index finger on the A string at fret 9, middle finger on the D string at fret 11 and ring finger on the G string at fret 11. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 1 | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 2 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
F♯ 5th is played at the 9th fret as 9 9 11 11: index finger on the E string at fret 9, middle finger on the A string at fret 9, ring finger on the D string at fret 11 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 1 | C♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
F♯ 5th is written as F♯ or F♯5. On a keyboard, use F# as the ASCII root. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
F♯ major includes the major third A♯, giving it a full major sound. F♯ 5th omits the third, so it works over both major and minor contexts.
Without a third, F♯ 5th has no major or minor quality. The perfect fifth interval is consonant and stable, making it versatile for many bass lines.