Explore chords · Guitar
F♯ add 9 chord on guitar (F♯add9)
Also called or written F♯add9, F♯ or F♯ Add 9th
F♯ add 9 is built from F♯, A♯, C♯ and G♯. The default grip at the 2nd fret is an advanced stretch with the 9th on the high E string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 9
- Root positionF♯–A♯–C♯–G♯F♯add9×-×-4-3-2-4
- First inversionA♯–C♯–G♯–F♯F♯add9/A♯×-1-×-1-2-2
- Second inversionC♯–G♯–F♯–A♯F♯add9/C♯×-4-4-3-×-4
- Third inversionG♯–F♯–A♯–C♯F♯add9/G♯4-4-4-3-×-×
How do you play an F♯ add 9 chord on guitar?
F♯ add 9 is played at the 2nd fret as × × 4 3 2 4: ring finger on the D string at fret 4, middle finger on the G string at fret 3, index finger on the B string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 4. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 2 | A♯ (3) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 1 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 4 | 4 | G♯ (2) |
AdvancedThe pinky must stretch to the 4th fret on the high E while the index holds the 2nd fret on the B string, a two-fret span.
F♯add9/A♯ inversion · fret 1
F♯ add 9 is played at the 1st fret as × 1 × 1 2 2: index finger on the A string at fret 1, middle finger on the G string at 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 and D strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 1 | 1 | A♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 2 | G♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
F♯add9/A♯ inversion · fret 4
F♯ add 9 is played at the 4th fret as 6 4 4 6 × 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. The B string stays muted.
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) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (2) |
F♯add9/A♯ inversion · fret 6
F♯ add 9 is played at the 6th fret as 6 × 6 6 7 6: barre your index finger across fret 6 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 7. The A string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6 | 1 (barre) | A♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 6 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (2) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (e) | 6 | 1 (barre) | A♯ (3) |
F♯add9/A♯ inversion · fret 13
F♯ add 9 is played at the 13th fret as × 13 × 13 14 14: index finger on the A string at fret 13, middle finger on the G string at fret 13, ring finger on the B string at fret 14 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 14. The low E and D strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 13 | 1 | A♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (G) | 13 | 2 | G♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 14 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 14 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ add 9 adds a major 2nd (G♯) to an F♯ major triad. The G♯ gives the chord a shimmering, bell-like quality. Contrast it with F♯ major, which omits the 9th.
What goes wrong with F♯ add 9?
- Letting the low E or A string sound, which adds notes outside the chord.
- Buzzing the D string because the ring finger is not close enough to the fret.
- Collapsing the pinky joint so it mutes the high E string.
When to use it
F♯ add 9 is the tonic in F♯ major, fitting progressions like F♯–B–C♯–F♯ (I–IV–V–I). It suits bright rock and fusion. Use it to replace F♯ major for a more open, ringing sound.
Changing to and from F♯ add 9
- Move to F♯ major by lifting the pinky and keeping the other three fingers in place.
- Slide the shape up one fret to the 3rd fret to play G add 9.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd fret position keeps F♯ in the bass for a root-position sound. The F♯add9/A♯ inversion at the 1st fret puts the major 3rd in the bass, giving a darker, more compact voicing. The F♯add9/A♯ inversion at the 6th fret is higher and brighter.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ add 9 written?
F♯ add 9 is written as F♯add9 or F♯. On a keyboard, use F#add9 or F#. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between F♯ add 9 and F♯ suspended 2nd?
F♯ add 9 contains the major 3rd (A♯) and the 9th (G♯), while F♯ suspended 2nd replaces the 3rd with the 2nd (G♯). F♯ add 9 has a more resolved major sound.
Can I play F♯ add 9 with a barre?
The default 2nd fret shape uses no barre, but the F♯add9/A♯ inversion at the 6th fret uses a barre at the 6th fret. That voicing is higher and requires more finger strength.