Explore chords · Ukulele
F♯ 5th chord on ukulele (F♯5)
Also called or written F♯5, F♯ or F♯ power chord
F♯ 5th contains F♯ and C♯. This power chord at the 2nd fret requires muting two strings, a typical intermediate challenge.
How it is built
Formula 1, 5
How do you play an F♯ 5th chord on ukulele?
F♯ 5th is played at the 2nd fret as × × 2 4: index finger on the E string at fret 2 and middle finger on the A string at fret 4. The G and C strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 2 | C♯ (5) |
IntermediateThe index and middle fingers must fret cleanly while both remaining strings are muted, requiring precise finger placement.
F♯5/C♯ inversion · fret 1
F♯ 5th is played at the 1st fret as × 1 2 ×: index finger on the C string at fret 1 and middle finger on the E string at fret 2. The G and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 | C♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
6th fret
F♯ 5th is played at the 6th fret as 6 6 × ×: index finger on the G string at fret 6 and middle finger on the C string at fret 6. The E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 | C♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
F♯5/C♯ inversion · fret 9
F♯ 5th is played at the 9th fret as × × 9 9: index finger on the E string at fret 9 and middle finger on the A string at fret 9. The G and C strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 1 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ 5th is built from the formula 1, 5, using the root F♯ and its perfect fifth C♯. The perfect fifth gives the chord its strong, hollow sound. Compare F♯ 5th with F♯ major, which adds the major third A♯.
What goes wrong with F♯ 5th?
- Letting the G or C string ring open because the muting finger is not touching it.
- Pressing the E string too hard and pulling it sharp.
- Flattening the middle finger onto the C string and accidentally fretting it.
When to use it
F♯ 5th functions as a power chord in F♯ major progressions like F♯–B–C♯, the I–IV–V in F♯ major. F♯ 5th suits rock and metal where a neutral fifth sound is preferred.
Changing to and from F♯ 5th
- Move from F♯ 5th to B major by lifting the middle finger and placing it on the C string 3rd fret while the index stays on the E string 2nd fret.
- Slide F♯ 5th up one fret to G 5th by moving both fingers together from the 2nd fret to the 3rd fret.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd fret position keeps F♯ in the bass for a grounded sound. The F♯5/C♯ inversions put C♯ in the bass, which lightens the chord and works well when moving to B major or D♯ minor.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ 5th written?
F♯ 5th is written as F♯5 or F♯. On a keyboard you may see F#5 because the sharp symbol is not always available. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Why does F♯ 5th sound different from F♯ major?
F♯ 5th omits the major third A♯, leaving only the root and fifth. Without the third the chord has no major or minor quality, which lets it fit both F♯ major and F♯ minor contexts.
Can I play F♯ 5th higher up the neck?
F♯ 5th has no higher position on this page, but you can play the F♯5/C♯ inversion at the 6th fret. That inversion puts the fifth in the bass for a lighter sound.