Explore chords · Ukulele
F♯ 6th chord on ukulele (F♯6)
Also called or written F♯6 or F♯
F♯ 6th contains F♯, A♯, C♯ and D♯. The default shape is an inversion at the 3rd fret, not a root position.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6
How do you play an F♯ 6th chord on ukulele?
F♯ 6th is played at the 2nd fret as 3 3 2 4: middle finger on the G string at fret 3, ring finger on the C string at fret 3, index finger on the E string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 2 | A♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 3 | D♯ (6) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 4 | C♯ (5) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach fret 4 on the A string while the index holds fret 2 and the middle and ring hold fret 3, requiring precise finger independence.
6th fret
F♯ 6th is played at the 6th fret as 6 6 6 6: barre your index finger across fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 1 (barre) | A♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 1 (barre) | D♯ (6) |
F♯6/A♯ inversion
F♯ 6th is played at the 8th fret as 8 10 9 9: index finger on the G string at fret 8, pinky finger on the C string at fret 10, middle finger on the E string at fret 9 and ring finger on the A string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 1 | D♯ (6) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 4 | A♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 2 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ 6th is built from the major triad F♯–A♯–C♯ plus the sixth, D♯. The sixth adds a warm, consonant colour to the major sound. Compare it with F♯ major, which stops at the fifth and sounds more plain.
What goes wrong with F♯ 6th?
- Letting the pinky flatten onto the C string, which deadens the A♯ note.
- Pressing too hard with the index, which can pull the E string sharp.
- Allowing the ring finger to touch the E string, muting the C♯.
When to use it
F♯ 6th functions as the tonic in F♯ major, fitting the I–IV–V–I progression F♯–B–C♯–F♯. It suits jazz, blues and pop ballads where a major triad needs extra warmth. Replace F♯ major with it at phrase endings.
Changing to and from F♯ 6th
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 3rd fret gives G 6th.
- From F♯ major, add the pinky on the A string at fret 4 and the index on the E string at fret 2.
Which voicing to use
The default shape is the F♯6/A♯ inversion, with A♯ in the bass, giving a lighter, more open sound. The F♯6/C♯ inversion at the 6th fret is a full barre with C♯ in the bass, useful for a smoother, higher voicing. The F♯6/D♯ inversion at the 8th fret has D♯ in the bass, creating a brighter, more open sound.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ 6th written?
F♯ 6th is written as F♯6 or F♯. The root is F♯, and the ASCII spelling is F#. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between F♯ 6th and F♯ major 7th?
F♯ 6th adds the sixth, D♯, while F♯ major 7th adds the seventh, E♯. The sixth is more consonant and less tense than the major seventh.
Can F♯ 6th be used in a minor key?
Yes, F♯ 6th can appear in D♯ natural minor as the III chord, but it is less common. It adds a major colour to the minor progression.
Why is the default shape an inversion?
The default shape has A♯ in the bass, which is the third of the chord. This inversion is chosen because it is easier to play than the root position, which would require a stretch.