F-sharp major chord (F#)
The F♯ major chord (F♯) is a major triad made of F♯, A♯ and C♯: root, major third and perfect fifth.
It is the I in F♯ major and the V in B major; its relative minor is D♯ minor, and C♯ dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play F♯ major on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 2-4-4-3-2-2, barre at fret 2, with F♯ in the bass (fingers 1-3-4-2-1-1).
- Voicing 2: x-9-11-11-11-9, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 9, with F♯ in the bass.
Notes of the F♯ major chord on the fretboard
F♯ major has 3 notes: F♯, A♯ and C♯. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): F♯ (2) · A♯ (6) · C♯ (9)
- String 5 (A): A♯ (1) · C♯ (4) · F♯ (9)
- String 4 (D): F♯ (4) · A♯ (8) · C♯ (11)
- String 3 (G): A♯ (3) · C♯ (6) · F♯ (11)
- String 2 (B): C♯ (2) · F♯ (7) · A♯ (11)
- String 1 (E): F♯ (2) · A♯ (6) · C♯ (9)
Formula and intervals of F♯ major
Its formula is 1-3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-4-7.
- F♯: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- A♯: Major third (M3), 4 semitones above F♯
- C♯: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above F♯
F♯ major on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 3-1-2-1, barre at fret 1; it sounds A♯, C♯, F♯ and A♯.
F♯ major on piano
- Keys: F♯4, A♯4 and C♯5.
Inversions of F♯ major
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: F♯, A♯ and C♯, with F♯ in the bass.
- First inversion (F♯/A♯): A♯, C♯ and F♯, with A♯ in the bass.
- Second inversion (F♯/C♯): C♯, F♯ and A♯, with C♯ in the bass.
Keys that use F♯ major
F♯ major appears in 7 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| F♯ major (6 sharps) | I | Tonic |
| D♭ major (5 flats) | IV (written G♭) | Subdominant |
| B major (5 sharps) | V | Dominant |
| D♯ minor (6 sharps) | III | Mediant |
| B♭ minor (5 flats) | VI (written G♭) | Submediant |
| G♯ minor (5 sharps) | VII | Subtonic |
| B minor (harmonic minor, 2 sharps) | V | Dominant |
Progressions with F♯ major
- Pop progression in F♯ major (I–V–vi–IV): F♯ – C♯ – D♯m – B
- Pop progression starting on vi in F♯ major (vi–IV–I–V): D♯m – B – F♯ – C♯
- Three-chord progression in F♯ major (I–IV–V): F♯ – B – C♯
- Turnaround in F♯ major (I–vi–ii–V): F♯ – D♯m – G♯m – C♯
- Minor pop progression in D♯ minor (i–VI–III–VII): D♯m – B – F♯ – C♯
F♯ major or G♭ major?
F♯ major (F♯) and G♭ major (G♭) are the same chord with two names: they sound the same and use the same frets.
The spelling depends on the key: it is written G♭ major in flat keys and F♯ major in sharp keys.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F♯ major chord?
F♯, A♯ and C♯: root, major third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-3-5.
Which keys use F♯ major?
Mainly as the I in F♯ major and the V in B major. In total it appears in 7 major and minor keys.
Is G♭ major the same chord as F♯ major?
Yes: G♭ major and F♯ major sound the same and are played the same way. It is written G♭ major in flat keys and F♯ major in sharp keys.
What is the relative minor of F♯ major?
D♯ minor. F♯ major and D♯ minor are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.