Explore chords · Ukulele
F♯ 7th sharp 5 chord on ukulele (F♯7♯5)
Also called or written F♯7♯5, F♯ or F♯ Dominant 7th ♯5
F♯ 7th sharp 5 contains F♯, A♯, C♯♯ and E. The default voicing at fret 7 is a mid-neck stretch that tests finger independence.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7
How do you play an F♯ 7th sharp 5 chord on ukulele?
F♯ 7th sharp 5 is played at the 6th fret as 7 6 6 7: ring finger on the G string at fret 7, index finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 3 | C♯♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 1 | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 2 | A♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (♭7) |
AdvancedThe stretch between the index finger on fret 6 and the pinky on fret 7 across the outer strings is demanding.
F♯7♯5/A♯ inversion
F♯ 7th sharp 5 is played at the 9th fret as 9 10 10 9: index finger on the G string at fret 9, ring finger on the C string at fret 10, pinky finger on the E string at fret 10 and middle finger on the A string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 1 | E (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 3 | A♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 4 | C♯♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ 7th sharp 5 is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7. The augmented 5th between F♯ and C♯♯ gives the chord its biting, unstable sound. Compare it to F♯ 7th, which has a perfect 5th instead.
What goes wrong with F♯ 7th sharp 5?
- The pinky flattens and deadens the A string next to it.
- The ring finger on the G string leans into the C string, causing a buzz.
When to use it
F♯ 7th sharp 5 works as a dominant chord in jazz and blues, often resolving to B major. It suits tense, chromatic passages and pairs with the F♯ altered scale.
Changing to and from F♯ 7th sharp 5
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 5th fret gives F 7th sharp 5.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 7th fret gives G 7th sharp 5.
Which voicing to use
The F♯7♯5/D inversion at fret 7 puts the augmented 5th in the bass, creating a strong pull to B. The F♯7♯5/F♭ inversion at fret 9 is higher but less stable.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ 7th sharp 5 written?
F♯ 7th sharp 5 is written as F♯7♯5 or F♯7+. The ASCII root is F#, so it can be typed as F#7#5. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between F♯ 7th sharp 5 and F♯ augmented?
F♯ 7th sharp 5 adds a minor 7th to the augmented triad. F♯ augmented contains only F♯, A♯ and C♯♯, while F♯ 7th sharp 5 includes E.
Why does F♯ 7th sharp 5 sound so tense?
The augmented 5th creates an unstable interval that wants to resolve. The minor 7th adds further dissonance, making the chord highly directional.