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F♯ minor major 7th chord on ukulele (F♯mMaj7)
Also called or written F♯mMaj7, F♯minmaj7, F♯mmaj7, F♯mM7, F♯ Minor Sharp 7 or F♯ Minor ♯7
F♯ minor major 7th contains F♯, A, C♯, and E♯. The F♯minmaj7/E♯ inversion uses a full barre at the 9th fret with the pinky reaching to the 10th fret.
F♯minmaj7/A inversionbarre at fret 9
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7
- Root positionF♯–A–C♯–E♯F♯mMaj7no shape on this instrument
- First inversionA–C♯–E♯–F♯F♯mMaj7/A10-9-9-9
- Second inversionC♯–E♯–F♯–AF♯mMaj7/C♯no shape on this instrument
- Third inversionE♯–F♯–A–C♯F♯mMaj7/E♯10-9-9-9
How do you play an F♯ minor major 7th chord on ukulele?
F♯ minor major 7th is played at the 9th fret as 10 9 9 9: barre your index finger across fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 4 | E♯ (7) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 1 (barre) | A (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (1) |
AdvancedThe index barre must fret three strings cleanly while the pinky reaches to the 10th fret on the G string.
Why it sounds like that
F♯ minor major 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7. The major 7th interval between F♯ and E♯ gives the chord its tense, unresolved color. Compare it to F♯ minor, which stops at the perfect 5th and sounds settled.
What goes wrong with F♯ minor major 7th?
- Letting the barre buzz on the C string because the index finger is not straight.
- Muting the G string with the pinky by pressing too flat.
When to use it
F♯ minor major 7th works in F♯ minor progressions, often as a passing chord between F♯ minor and F♯ minor 7th. It suits jazz ballads and film noir textures where the raised 7th adds tension. Try it before F♯ minor or F♯ 5th.
Changing to and from F♯ minor major 7th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 7th fret gives E minor major 7th.
- From F♯ minor major 7th, lift the pinky to move to F♯ minor.
Which voicing to use
The F♯minmaj7/E♯ inversion places E♯ in the bass, creating a leading-tone pull toward F♯ minor. The barre voicing is the only position supplied for this chord.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ minor major 7th written?
F♯ minor major 7th is written F♯mmaj7, F♯minmaj7, or F♯mM7. The ASCII root spelling is F#. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What mistake do players make with this shape?
Players often let the barre lift off the A string, causing a muted note. Keep the index finger flat and press firmly.
How does F♯ minor major 7th differ from F♯ minor 7th?
F♯ minor major 7th has a major 7th (E♯), while F♯ minor 7th has a minor 7th (E). The major 7th creates a sharper, more dissonant sound.