F#9 Chord
F#9 is a dominant seventh plus G sharp, the ninth. Its full spelling has five different notes, so a practical guitar or ukulele grip may leave out a less essential chord tone.
- Notes: F sharp-A sharp-C sharp-E-G sharp
- Symbol: F#9
- V9 in B major
- Seventh and ninth
F#9
How to play an F#9 chord
Notes: F# - A# - C# - E - G#F#9
Root position
F# - A# - C# - E - G#1st inversion
A# - C# - E - G# - F#2nd inversion
C# - E - G# - F# - A#3rd inversion
E - G# - F# - A# - C#
Where does F#9 belong?
In B major, F#9 extends the V7 chord before it resolves to the tonic.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.
- Dominant with a ninthV9
A V7 with the ninth on top: the same pull to B, a fuller sound.
BEF#9V9B - Funk and blues homeI9
In funk and blues this is a home chord that never has to resolve.
F#9I9B9F#9C#9
Progressions to try
- BEF#9B
F#9 is V9 in B major; its seventh keeps the dominant pull while the ninth adds another voice.
- F#9B9F#9C#9
Treat the repeated F#9 as a blues home chord, then hear the other ninth chords answer it.
Which shape should you use?
On guitar, start with 242324, a barre at the 2nd fret.
On ukulele, start with 1421, played at the 1st fret. 9869 gives a higher version.
On piano, spread the five-note spelling across both hands: F sharp-A sharp-C sharp-E-G sharp. Move F sharp up an octave to reach the first inversion, A sharp-C sharp-E-G sharp-F sharp; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.
What are the inversions?
The first four notes, F sharp-A sharp-C sharp-E, form the dominant seventh. G sharp adds the ninth.
- Root position: F sharp-A sharp-C sharp-E-G sharp, with F sharp lowest.
- First inversion: A sharp-C sharp-E-G sharp-F sharp, written F#9/A# if A sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
- Second inversion: C sharp-E-G sharp-F sharp-A sharp, written F#9/C# if C sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
- Third inversion: E-G sharp-F sharp-A sharp-C sharp, written F#9/E if E is lowest in the whole arrangement.
- Fourth inversion: G sharp-F sharp-A sharp-C sharp-E, written F#9/G# if G sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.
How does F#9 differ from F#7?
Remove the ninth, G sharp, and the remaining notes form F#7. The seventh stays, so both chords can still pull toward the same tonic. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See F#7 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.
F#9
F# - A# - C# - E - G#F#7
F# - A# - C# - E