Explore chords · Guitar
F♯ minor 9th chord on guitar (F♯m9)
Also called or written F♯m9 or F♯
F♯ minor 9th contains F♯, A, C♯, E and G♯. The open position uses a mix of fretted and open strings, with the root on the low E string.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9
- Root positionF♯–A–C♯–E–G♯F♯m92-0-2-1-2-0
- First inversionA–C♯–E–G♯–F♯F♯m9/A×-0-2-1-2-2
- Second inversionC♯–E–G♯–F♯–AF♯m9/C♯no shape on this instrument
- Third inversionE–G♯–F♯–A–C♯F♯m9/E0-0-2-1-2-2
- Fourth inversionG♯–F♯–A–C♯–EF♯m9/G♯4-4-2-2-2-2
How do you play an F♯ minor 9th chord on guitar?
F♯ minor 9th is played in open position as 2 0 2 1 2 0: middle finger on the low E string at fret 2, ring finger on the D string at fret 2, index finger on the G string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 2. The A and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (♭3) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 3 | E (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 4 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (♭7) |
AdvancedThe open position requires the pinky to fret the 2nd string at the 2nd fret while the 1st string rings open, which can cause accidental muting.
2nd fret
F♯ minor 9th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 4 2 2 2 4: barre your index finger across fret 2, ring finger on the A string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 4 | 4 | G♯ (2) |
F♯m9/A inversion · open position
F♯ minor 9th is played in open position as × 0 2 1 2 2: middle finger on the D string at fret 2, index 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 A string rings open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (♭3) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
F♯m9/A inversion · fret 4
F♯ minor 9th is played at the 4th fret as 5 4 4 6 5 4: barre your index finger across fret 4, middle finger on the low E string at fret 5, pinky finger on the G string at fret 6 and ring finger on the B string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (♭3) |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 3 | E (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (2) |
F♯m9/E inversion
F♯ minor 9th is played in open position as 0 0 2 1 2 2: middle finger on the D string at fret 2, index 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 A strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (♭7) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (♭3) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ minor 9th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9. The minor 3rd between F♯ and A gives the chord its minor quality, while the major 2nd from F♯ to G♯ adds the ninth. Compare it with F♯ minor 7th, which omits the ninth.
What goes wrong with F♯ minor 9th?
- Let the pinky touch the 1st string, muting the open high e.
- Flatten the ring finger onto the 3rd string, muting the G string.
- Strum too hard, causing the open A string to overpower the root.
When to use it
F♯ minor 9th works as the vi chord in A major, as in the progression A–E–F♯ minor–D, the I–V–vi–IV. Use it in jazz or fusion for a smooth, dark color. It also substitutes for F♯ minor when you want the added ninth.
Changing to and from F♯ minor 9th
- From F♯ minor 9th to F♯ minor 7th, lift the pinky and play the 2nd string open; the other fingers stay put.
- Sliding the 2nd-fret barre shape up one fret to the 3rd fret gives G minor 9th.
Which voicing to use
The open position keeps F♯ in the bass for a root-position sound. The F♯m9/A inversion at the 1st fret puts the minor 3rd in the bass, softening the chord. Choose the F♯m9/E inversion at the 1st fret when you want the ♭7 in the bass for a more suspended feel.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ minor 9th written?
F♯ minor 9th is written F♯m9 or F♯. The ASCII root is F#, so you can type F#m9. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between F♯ minor 9th and F♯ minor add 9?
F♯ minor 9th includes the ♭7 (E), while F♯ minor add 9 omits the ♭7. The add 9 chord has a more open, less jazzy sound.
Can F♯ minor 9th be played without the pinky stretch?
Yes, the F♯m9/A inversion at the 1st fret uses a barre and omits the low E string, reducing the stretch.