Explore chords · Ukulele
F♯ minor chord on ukulele (F♯m)
Also called or written F♯m or F♯min
F♯ minor is built from F♯, A, and C♯. The default 4th fret shape mutes the G string, so you must avoid that string while strumming.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5
How do you play an F♯ minor chord on ukulele?
F♯ minor is played at the 4th fret as × 6 5 4: ring finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and index finger on the A string at fret 4. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 1 | C♯ (5) |
IntermediateThe hardest part is muting the G string while three fingers fret separate notes, so the A string rings cleanly.
F♯min/A inversion
F♯ minor is played at the 9th fret as 11 9 9 9: barre your index finger across fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 11.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 1 (barre) | A (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (1) |
F♯min/C♯ inversion
F♯ minor is played in open position as 2 1 2 0: middle finger on the G string at fret 2, index finger on the C string at fret 1 and ring finger on the E string at fret 2. The A string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 | C♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (♭3) |
4th fret · 6-6-5-4
F♯ minor is played at the 4th fret as 6 6 5 4: ring finger on the G string at fret 6, pinky finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and index finger on the A string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 3 | C♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 1 | C♯ (5) |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ minor uses the formula 1, ♭3, 5. The ♭3, A, gives the chord its minor quality. Raise that note a semitone to A♯ and you get F♯ major.
What goes wrong with F♯ minor?
- Letting the G string sound, which adds a note outside the chord.
- Pressing the ring finger too hard, which bends the C string sharp.
When to use it
F♯ minor is the vi chord in A major, so it anchors the I–V–vi–IV progression: A major–E major–F♯ minor–D major. Use it for rock, metal, and minor-key pop.
Changing to and from F♯ minor
- Move to G minor by shifting all three fingers up one fret: ring to the 7th fret, middle to the 6th, index to the 5th.
Which voicing to use
The 4th fret shape keeps F♯ in the bass and is the standard grip. The 9th fret voicing moves the same notes up the neck for a brighter cut, while the F♯ minor/A inversion puts A in the bass for a softer sound.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ minor written?
F♯ minor appears as F♯m, F♯min, F♯−, or F♯mi. Type F# for the root because ♯ is not on a keyboard. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Why does F♯ minor sound darker than F♯ major?
F♯ minor lowers the third from A♯ to A. That ♭3 interval creates the minor quality, while F♯ major uses a major third.
What is the difference between the 4th fret and 9th fret shapes?
The 4th fret shape mutes the G string and uses three fingers. The 9th fret shape bars three strings and sounds the same notes an octave higher.