Also written F♯6 or F♯
F♯ 6th is built from F♯, A♯, C♯, and D♯. The default voicing places A♯ in the bass and requires a wide stretch across four frets.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
F♯ 6th is a major triad with an added major 6th: 1, 3, 5, 6. The major 6th from F♯ to D♯ gives the chord its warm, open colour. Compare it to F♯ major, which omits the 6th and sounds plainer.
F♯ 6th works as the tonic in F♯ major, especially in the I–IV–V–I progression F♯–B–C♯–F♯. F♯ 6th suits bright pop, country, and swing lines where the added 6th softens the major sound. Try F♯ 6th over F♯ major or F♯ 5th.
The F♯6/A♯ inversion puts the third in the bass, giving a smooth, melodic start. The F♯6/C♯ inversion has the fifth in the bass and sounds more grounded, while the F♯6/D♯ inversion places the sixth in the bass for a lighter colour.
F♯ 6th is played at the 4th fret as 6 6 4 6: middle finger on the E string at fret 6, ring finger on the A string at fret 6, index finger on the D string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 6.
Tip — The wide stretch from the 4th fret on the D string to the 6th fret on the G string is hard to hold cleanly.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 2 | A♯ (3) |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 3 | D♯ (6) |
| 2 (D) | 4 | 1 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (5) |
F♯ 6th is played at the 8th fret as 9 9 8 8: barre your index finger across fret 8, middle finger on the E string at fret 9 and ring finger on the A string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 2 | C♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 1 (barre) | A♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 1 (barre) | D♯ (6) |
F♯ 6th is played at the 11th fret as 11 13 11 11: index finger on the E string at fret 11, pinky finger on the A string at fret 13, middle finger on the D string at fret 11 and ring finger on the G string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 1 | D♯ (6) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 4 | A♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 2 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
F♯ 6th is written as F♯6 or F#6. The root is F♯, with ASCII F#. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
F♯ 6th contains the major 6th D♯, while F♯ major 7th contains the major 7th E♯. The 6th gives a warmer, less dissonant sound than the 7th.
F♯ 6th is diatonic to A♭ natural minor and E♭ natural minor, where it acts as the subtonic or mediant. Its major quality can add brightness to minor progressions.