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F♯ major 9th chord on guitar (F♯maj9)
Also called or written F♯maj9 or F♯
F♯ major 9th contains F♯, A♯, C♯, E♯, and G♯. The 1st fret shape is a full barre with a pinky stretch to fret 3.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
- Root positionF♯–A♯–C♯–E♯–G♯F♯maj92-1-3-1-2-1
- First inversionA♯–C♯–E♯–G♯–F♯F♯maj9/A♯×-1-3-1-2-2
- Second inversionC♯–E♯–G♯–F♯–A♯F♯maj9/C♯no shape on this instrument
- Third inversionE♯–G♯–F♯–A♯–C♯F♯maj9/E♯1-1-3-1-2-2
- Fourth inversionG♯–F♯–A♯–C♯–E♯F♯maj9/G♯4-4-4-6-6-6
How do you play an F♯ major 9th chord on guitar?
F♯ major 9th is played at the 1st fret as 2 1 3 1 2 1: barre your index finger across fret 1, middle finger on the low E string at fret 2, pinky finger on the D string at fret 3 and ring finger on the B 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) | 3 | 4 | E♯ (7) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 1 (barre) | E♯ (7) |
AdvancedThe full barre at the 1st fret must hold the A string and high e cleanly while the pinky reaches fret 3.
13th fret
F♯ major 9th is played at the 13th fret as 14 13 15 13 14 13: barre your index finger across fret 13, middle finger on the low E string at fret 14, pinky finger on the D string at fret 15 and ring finger on the B 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) | 15 | 4 | E♯ (7) |
| 3 (G) | 13 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 14 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 13 | 1 (barre) | E♯ (7) |
F♯maj9/A♯ inversion · fret 1
F♯ major 9th is played at the 1st fret as × 1 3 1 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 1, pinky finger on the D string at fret 3, middle finger on the B string at fret 2 and ring 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) | 3 | 4 | E♯ (7) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 2 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
F♯maj9/A♯ inversion · fret 4
F♯ major 9th is played at the 4th fret as 6 4 4 6 6 4: barre your index finger across fret 4, middle finger on the low E string at fret 6, ring finger on the G string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6 | 2 | A♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | 6 | 4 | E♯ (7) |
| 1 (e) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (2) |
F♯maj9/A♯ inversion · fret 6
F♯ major 9th is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 6 6 7 6: barre your index finger across fret 6, pinky finger on the A string at fret 8 and ring finger on the B string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6 | 1 (barre) | A♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | 8 | 4 | E♯ (7) |
| 4 (D) | 6 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (2) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (e) | 6 | 1 (barre) | A♯ (3) |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ major 9th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. The major seventh interval gives it its characteristic lush sound. Compared with F♯ major 7th, the added ninth creates a more open, colorful voicing.
What goes wrong with F♯ major 9th?
- The 3rd string buzzes because the index barre is not pressing hard enough.
- The pinky on the 4th string accidentally mutes the 3rd string.
- The high e string is deadened by the barre sliding out of place.
When to use it
F♯ major 9th works as the tonic in F♯ major, such as in the I–IV–V–I progression F♯–B–C♯–F♯. It also fits the I–V–vi–IV progression F♯–C♯–D♯ minor–B. Use it in jazz, fusion, and progressive rock for a bright, extended harmony.
Changing to and from F♯ major 9th
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 2nd fret gives G major 9th.
- From F♯ major, lift the pinky and add the barre to reach F♯ major 9th.
Which voicing to use
The 1st fret shape has F♯ in the bass and is the most balanced voicing. The F♯maj9/B♭ inversion at the 1st fret puts A♯ in the bass, giving a lighter, more suspended feel. For a higher register, use the 13th fret shape.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ major 9th written?
F♯ major 9th is written as F♯ or F♯maj9. The ASCII root spelling is F#. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between F♯ major 9th and F♯ add 9?
F♯ major 9th includes the major seventh (E♯), while F♯ add 9 does not. The add 9 chord is simply an F♯ major triad with the ninth added.
Can I play F♯ major 9th without the barre?
The 1st fret shape requires a barre, but you can play the F♯maj9/B♭ inversion at the 1st fret, which uses a partial barre. It omits the low E string.