F♯ minor 6th chord on ukulele (F♯m6)

Also called or written F♯m6, F♯min6, F♯min maj6 or F♯ Minor Major 6

F♯ minor 6th contains F♯, A, C♯, and D♯. The 2nd fret grip places the pinky on the A string while the index and middle share the 2nd fret.

2frAD♯F♯C♯GCEA
Positions on the neck1 of 3
Practice F♯ minor 6th chord

How it is built

F♯RootAMinor thirdC♯Perfect fifthD♯Major sixth

Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 6

Inversions

How do you play an F♯ minor 6th chord on ukulele?

F♯ minor 6th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 3 2 4: index finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the C string at fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 4.

Full note and interval breakdown
StringFretFingerNote
4 (G)21A (♭3)
3 (C)33D♯ (6)
2 (E)22F♯ (1)
1 (A)44C♯ (5)

AdvancedThe pinky reaches to the 4th fret on the A string while the index and middle hold the 2nd fret, demanding a wide stretch.

5th fret

F♯ minor 6th is played at the 5th fret as 6 6 5 6: middle finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the C string at fret 6, index finger on the E string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 6.

Full note and interval breakdown
StringFretFingerNote
4 (G)62C♯ (5)
3 (C)63F♯ (1)
2 (E)51A (♭3)
1 (A)64D♯ (6)

F♯min6/A inversion

F♯ minor 6th is played at the 8th fret as 8 9 9 9: index finger on the G string at fret 8, middle finger on the C string at fret 9, ring finger on the E string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 9.

Full note and interval breakdown
StringFretFingerNote
4 (G)81D♯ (6)
3 (C)92A (♭3)
2 (E)93C♯ (5)
1 (A)94F♯ (1)

Why it sounds like that

F♯ minor 6th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 6. The major 6th from F♯ to D♯ gives the chord its bright edge. Compare F♯ minor, which omits the 6th.

What goes wrong with F♯ minor 6th?

  • Letting the pinky flatten and mute the E string.
  • Pressing the index finger too hard, which sharpens the G string.
  • Failing to keep the ring finger clear of the A string.

When to use it

F♯ minor 6th acts as a tonic in F♯ minor and colours F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords. It fits jazz and minor-key rock.

Changing to and from F♯ minor 6th

  • Sliding the shape down one fret to the 1st fret gives F minor 6th.
  • From F♯ minor, add the pinky on the A string, 4th fret.

Which voicing to use

The 2nd fret position places A in the bass, giving a first-inversion sound. The F♯min6/C♯ inversion at the 6th fret moves the bass to C♯, darkening the sound.

Other F♯ chords

Common questions

How is F♯ minor 6th written?

F♯ minor 6th is written F♯m6, min maj6, or F♯min6. The ASCII root is F#. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.

What is the difference between F♯ minor 6th and F♯ minor 7th?

F♯ minor 6th has a major 6th (D♯), while F♯ minor 7th has a minor 7th (E). The 6th gives a brighter colour.

Can F♯ minor 6th be played with open strings?

No, all positions of F♯ minor 6th use fretted notes; there are no open strings in any supplied voicing.