Explore chords · Ukulele
F♯ add 9 chord on ukulele (F♯add9)
Also called or written F♯add9, F♯ or F♯ Add 9th
F♯ add 9 is built from F♯, A♯, C♯, and G♯. The 9th-fret voicing sits high on the neck, demanding precise finger placement.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 9
- Root positionF♯–A♯–C♯–G♯F♯add911-10-9-11
- First inversionA♯–C♯–G♯–F♯F♯add9/A♯11-10-9-11
- Second inversionC♯–G♯–F♯–A♯F♯add9/C♯1-1-2-1
- Third inversionG♯–F♯–A♯–C♯F♯add9/G♯1-1-2-1
How do you play an F♯ add 9 chord on ukulele?
F♯ add 9 is played at the 9th fret as 11 10 9 11: ring finger on the G string at fret 11, middle finger on the C string at fret 10, index finger on the E string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 11.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 2 | A♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 1 | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 11 | 4 | G♯ (2) |
AdvancedThe pinky must stretch to the A string at fret 11 while the ring finger holds the G string at the same fret, creating tension.
F♯add9/C♯ inversion
F♯ add 9 is played at the 1st fret as 1 1 2 1: index finger on the G string at fret 1, middle finger on the C string at fret 1, pinky finger on the E string at fret 2 and ring finger on the A string at fret 1.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (2) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 2 | C♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 3 | A♯ (3) |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ add 9 uses the formula 1, 3, 5, 9. The major 2nd between F♯ and G♯ adds a luminous suspension to the major triad. Compare F♯ add 9 with F♯ major, which omits the 9th for a more direct sound.
What goes wrong with F♯ add 9?
- The pinky flattens and mutes the A string, losing the root.
- The index finger on the E string leans back and deadens the C string.
- The ring finger on the G string buzzes because it is too far from the fret wire.
When to use it
F♯ add 9 functions as the tonic in F♯ major, fitting the I–IV–V–I progression F♯–B–C♯–F♯. Its bright, open sound suits jazz and fusion. Use F♯ add 9 to add color to F♯ major in a turnaround.
Changing to and from F♯ add 9
- From F♯ add 9 to F add 9, slide the entire shape down one fret to the 8th fret.
- From F♯ add 9 to G add 9, slide the entire shape up one fret to the 10th fret.
Which voicing to use
The 9th-fret voicing keeps the root F♯ on the G string and is the standard shape. The F♯add9/G♯ inversion at the 1st fret places the 9th in the bass, creating a suspended, airy feel that resolves well to F♯ major.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ add 9 written?
F♯ add 9 is written as F♯add9 or F♯ add 9. The ASCII root is F#, so F#add9 is also used. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between F♯ add 9 and F♯ major 7th?
F♯ add 9 contains the 9th (G♯) but no 7th. F♯ major 7th contains the 7th (E♯) but no 9th. The add 9 has a more open, suspended quality.
Can F♯ add 9 be played with a barre?
The 9th-fret voicing uses individual fingers, not a barre. The F♯add9/G♯ inversion at the 1st fret also uses individual fingers. No barre is required.