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F♯ minor major 7th chord on bass (F♯mMaj7)
Also called or written F♯mMaj7, F♯minmaj7, F♯mmaj7, F♯mM7, F♯ Minor Sharp 7 or F♯ Minor ♯7
F♯ minor major 7th contains F♯, A, C♯, and E♯. Its 2nd-fret position requires a wide stretch across all four strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7
- Root positionF♯–A–C♯–E♯F♯mMaj72-4-3-2
- First inversionA–C♯–E♯–F♯F♯mMaj7/Ano shape on this instrument
- Second inversionC♯–E♯–F♯–AF♯mMaj7/C♯no shape on this instrument
- Third inversionE♯–F♯–A–C♯F♯mMaj7/E♯13-12-11-11
How do you play an F♯ minor major 7th chord on bass?
F♯ minor major 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 4 3 2: index finger on the E string at fret 2, pinky finger on the A string at fret 4, ring finger on the D string at fret 3 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (1) |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 4 | C♯ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 3 | E♯ (7) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (♭3) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach the 4th fret on the A string while the index stays at the 2nd fret on the E string.
F♯minmaj7/E♯ inversion
F♯ minor major 7th is played at the 11th fret as 13 12 11 11: pinky finger on the E string at fret 13, ring finger on the A string at fret 12, index finger on the D string at fret 11 and middle finger on the G string at fret 11.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 13 | 4 | E♯ (7) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 3 | A (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 1 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ minor major 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7. The minor 3rd between F♯ and A gives the chord its minor quality, while the major 7th between F♯ and E♯ adds a leading tone. Contrast this with F♯ minor, which omits the major 7th.
What goes wrong with F♯ minor major 7th?
- Letting the pinky buzz on the A string at the 4th fret.
- Flattening the ring finger and deadening the D string at the 3rd fret.
When to use it
Use F♯ minor major 7th in jazz or fusion lines where the major 7th adds tension. Pair it with F♯ minor or F♯ 5th for contrast.
Changing to and from F♯ minor major 7th
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 1st fret gives F minor major 7th.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 3rd fret gives G minor major 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd fret position keeps F♯ in the bass for a grounded sound. The F♯minmaj7/E♯ inversion places E♯ in the bass, creating a smoother voice leading into chords like F♯ minor.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ minor major 7th written?
F♯ minor major 7th is written as F♯mmaj7, mmaj7, mM7, or F♯minmaj7. The root can be typed as F#. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between F♯ minor major 7th and F♯ minor 7th?
F♯ minor major 7th has a major 7th (E♯), while F♯ minor 7th has a minor 7th (E). The major 7th creates a leading tone that pulls strongly to the root.
Why does F♯ minor major 7th sound dissonant?
The minor 3rd (A) and major 7th (E♯) form an augmented 5th interval, which is unstable. This tension is characteristic of the minor major 7th chord.
Can I play F♯ minor major 7th in a higher register?
Yes, the F♯minmaj7/E♯ inversion at the 11th fret places the major 7th in the bass. This voicing is useful for connecting to chords with E♯ in the bass.