Explore chords · Guitar
F♯ 6th add 9 chord on guitar (F♯6/9)
Also called or written F♯6/9, F♯6add9, F♯ 6th Add 9th or F♯ 6th 9
F♯ 6th add 9 contains F♯, A♯, C♯, D♯, and G♯. The 1st fret grip barres the A, D, and G strings while the middle finger frets the low E.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6, 9
- Root positionF♯–A♯–C♯–D♯–G♯F♯6/92-1-1-1-2-2
- First inversionA♯–C♯–D♯–G♯–F♯F♯6/9/A♯×-1-1-1-2-2
- Second inversionC♯–D♯–G♯–F♯–A♯F♯6/9/C♯9-9-8-8-9-×
- Third inversionD♯–G♯–F♯–A♯–C♯F♯6/9/D♯×-6-6-6-7-6
- Fourth inversionG♯–F♯–A♯–C♯–D♯F♯6/9/G♯4-4-4-6-4-6
How do you play an F♯ 6th add 9 chord on guitar?
F♯ 6th add 9 is played at the 1st fret as 2 1 1 1 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 1, middle finger on the low E string at fret 2, ring finger on the B string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 2.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 1 | 1 (barre) | A♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 (barre) | D♯ (6) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
AdvancedThe index barre must fret the A, D, and G strings cleanly while the middle finger frets the low E at the 2nd fret.
8th fret
F♯ 6th add 9 is played at the 8th fret as × 9 8 8 9 9: barre your index finger across fret 8, middle finger on the A string at fret 9, ring finger on the B string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 9. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
| 4 (D) | 8 | 1 (barre) | A♯ (3) |
| 3 (G) | 8 | 1 (barre) | D♯ (6) |
| 2 (B) | 9 | 3 | G♯ (2) |
| 1 (e) | 9 | 4 | C♯ (5) |
13th fret
F♯ 6th add 9 is played at the 13th fret as 14 13 13 13 14 14: barre your index finger across fret 13, middle finger on the low E string at fret 14, ring finger on the B string at fret 14 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 14.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 14 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 13 | 1 (barre) | A♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | 13 | 1 (barre) | D♯ (6) |
| 3 (G) | 13 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 14 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 14 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
F♯6add9/A♯ inversion · fret 1
F♯ 6th add 9 is played at the 1st fret as × 1 1 1 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 1, ring finger on the B string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 2. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 1 | 1 (barre) | A♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 (barre) | D♯ (6) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
F♯6add9/A♯ inversion · fret 4
F♯ 6th add 9 is played at the 4th fret as 6 4 4 6 4 4: barre your index finger across fret 4, ring finger on the low E string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6 | 3 | A♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | 4 | 1 (barre) | D♯ (6) |
| 1 (e) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (2) |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ 6th add 9 is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 6, 9. The major 6th and major 2nd add color to the major triad. Compare it to F♯ 6th, which omits the 9th.
What goes wrong with F♯ 6th add 9?
- Let the B string buzz under the ring finger by not arching it enough.
- Allow the index barre to lift off the G string, causing a dead note.
When to use it
Use F♯ 6th add 9 as the tonic in F♯ major progressions like F♯–B–C♯–F♯ (I–IV–V–I). It suits rock and pop styles.
Changing to and from F♯ 6th add 9
- Slide the shape up one fret to the 2nd fret to play G 6th add 9.
- Slide the shape up two frets to the 3rd fret to play A♭ 6th add 9.
Which voicing to use
The 1st fret position keeps F♯ in the bass. The F♯6add9/A♯ inversions put A♯ in the bass, creating a first-inversion sound.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ 6th add 9 written?
F♯ 6th add 9 is written F♯6/9 or F♯6add9. The ASCII root spelling is F#. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
How does F♯ 6th add 9 differ from F♯ 6th?
F♯ 6th add 9 adds the 9th, G♯, to the F♯ 6th chord. The 9th creates a more colorful, extended sound.
Why is the low E string not muted in F♯ 6th add 9?
The low E string is fretted at the 2nd fret, producing F♯, which is the root note. All six strings are played.