Explore chords · Ukulele
F♯ minor 7th chord on ukulele (F♯m7)
Also called or written F♯m7 or F♯min7
F♯ minor 7th contains F♯, A, C♯, and E. The 2nd-fret grip uses a compact finger cluster with no stretch.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7
How do you play an F♯ minor 7th chord on ukulele?
F♯ minor 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 4 2 4: index finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the C string at fret 4, middle 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) | 2 | 1 | A (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 3 | E (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 4 | C♯ (5) |
AdvancedThe pinky must fret the A string at the 4th fret while the ring finger holds the C string, risking a muted C string.
5th fret
F♯ minor 7th is played at the 5th fret as 6 6 5 7: 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 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 2 | C♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 1 | A (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (♭7) |
F♯m7/A inversion
F♯ minor 7th is played at the 9th fret as 9 9 9 9: barre your index finger across fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 1 (barre) | E (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 1 (barre) | A (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ minor 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7. The minor 3rd between F♯ and A gives the chord its minor quality, and the minor 7th E adds a mellow tension. Compare it to F♯ minor, which omits the 7th.
What goes wrong with F♯ minor 7th?
- Letting the pinky collapse onto the C string, muting it.
- Pressing the index finger too flat, which can buzz the G string.
- Rushing the placement so the E string note sounds sharp.
When to use it
F♯ minor 7th works as the vi chord in A major, appearing in the progression A major–E major–F♯ minor–D major (I–V–vi–IV). It suits indie pop and ballads. Try it with F♯ minor and A major.
Changing to and from F♯ minor 7th
- Move to G minor 7th by sliding the shape up one fret to the 3rd fret.
- From F♯ minor 7th, slide down one fret to the 1st fret for F minor 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd-fret voicing keeps A in the bass for a softer sound. The F♯m7/C♯ inversion at the 6th fret puts C♯ in the bass, adding clarity. For a brighter top, use the F♯m7/E inversion at the 9th fret.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ minor 7th written?
F♯ minor 7th is written F♯min7 or F♯m7. The root is spelled F# in ASCII. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Why does the 2nd-fret voicing feel compact?
The 2nd-fret voicing uses fingers on adjacent frets, so the hand stays relaxed. The pinky on the A string at the 4th fret is the only reach.
How does F♯ minor 7th differ from F♯ minor?
F♯ minor 7th adds the note E, a minor 7th above the root. This extra note creates a softer, more complex sound than the plain triad.