In this article we include chord charts with detailed explanations, music theory deep dives, and even chord progressions so you understand all you need to know about f sharp minor guitar chords and how to use them in your music.
F sharp minor (f#min) is a 3 note chord, also called a triad. It is made of the tones F# A and C#. You may see F# minor notated as: F#m, F# min, or F#-. F# minor is often heard in the keys D Maj, E Maj, and A Maj, as well as F# and C# min.
Notes In The F# Minor Guitar Chord
The notes in an F# minor chord are F# A C#.
Related: All about the natural minor scale
Quick Theory on F#min
Every musician needs a little bit of theory, don’t be afraid!
In music, this symbol: # means sharp.
A triad is made of the root, 3rd, and 5th of a scale.
More specifically, a minor triad is made from the root, minor 3rd and perfect 5th of a scale.
F# to A is a minor 3rd (m3), while F# to C# make a perfect fifth (P5).
F# -> A = m3
F# -> C# = P5
m3 + P5= minor triad
If you read lead sheet symbols, F# Minor is commonly noted in the following ways:
F#m, F#Min, F#-
How To Play The F# Minor
Below are 4 common ways to play F# minor. Each version begins with a root on the 6th, 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings. They are all root position chords, which means F# is the lowest note.
Method 1
The most common way you see F# minor being played. It utilizes a barre to play all 6 strings of the guitar.
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 6th string and barre.
- Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string.
- Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string.
Method 2
This voicing is played with the root on the 5th string. It is a common voicing that also utilizes a barre, although it is not as difficult to execute as method 1.
- Place your index finger on the 9th fret of the 5th string and barre.
- Place your 2nd finger on the 10th fret of the 2nd string.
- Place your ring finger on the 11th fret of the 4th string.
- Place your pinky on the 11th fret of the 3rd string.
Method 3
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string and barre.
- Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string.
Method 4
- Place your index finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string.
- Place your middle finger on the 10th fret of the 2nd string.
- Place your ring finger on the 11th fret of the 3rd string.
Easy Alternative Ways To Play
Method 5
Look! Only 1 finger! This voicing is in first inversion, meaning the 3rd of the chord (A) is the lowest note.
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string and barre.
Method 6
- Place your index finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string.
- Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string.
How To Play F Sharp Without A Bar
If playing barre chords is too difficult for you, you can always drop the lowest note of the chord.
Not only does it make the chord easier to play, but it also adds a more trebly sound which is actually ideal for lead guitarists, and staying out of the bassists way!
Method 7
Notice that this shape is based on Method 1. The only difference is that we decided not to play the low F#, making it much easier to play!
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string and barre.
- Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string.
- Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string.
Method 8
Notice that this shape is based on Method 2 listed above. The only difference is that we decided not to play the low F#, making it much easier to play!
- Place your index finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string.
- Place your middle finger on the 10th fret of the 2nd string.
- Place your ring finger on the 11th fret of the 4th string.
- Place your pinky on the 11th fret of the 3rd string.
Need help with playing barre chords?
Check out our article: Learn To Play Bar Chords On The Guitar
Songs That Use The F# Minor Chord
How many of these songs can you play?
Hey Jealousy by Gin Blossoms
Been There All The Time by Dinosaur Jr.
White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes
Which Keys Have F# Minor
These keys include the f sharp minor guitar chords:
D Maj: D Maj, E min, F#min, G Maj, A Maj, B min, Cdim
E Maj: E Maj, F#min, G# min, A Maj, B Maj, C# min, D#dim
A Maj: A Maj, B min, C# min, D Maj, E Maj, F# min, G#dim
F# min: F# min, G#dim, A Maj, B min, C# Maj, D Maj, E# dim
C# min: C# min, D#dim, E maj, F#min, G# Maj, A Maj, B#dim
Fun Fact: F# minor is the relative minor of A Major, meaning they have the same key signature: F# C# G#
The chords in the key of F# min are:
F# min, G# dim, A Maj, B Min, C# Maj, DMaj, E#dim.
Playing any of these chords along with f#min will sound great! The II – V7 – i is a popular chord progression in jazz music.
Related: All You Need To Know About Jazz Chords
Let’s play a II – V7 – i in F# min:
G#M, C#M7, F#min
Other Related Guitar Chords
Conclusion
There are many ways to play F#min. Don’t worry about playing the right way, because no matter which voicing you choose, they are all right.
F# min is made from the notes F# A and C#. F# minor is a minor triad build from stacking the intervals of a m3 and P5.
The chords G#M, C#M7 sound great with the F# min chord. How many f sharp minor guitar chords can you play?
Related: How To Play B Minor 7 On Guitar
