F#9 Guitar Chord
F#9 is the F sharp dominant ninth chord. It has five notes: F sharp, A sharp, C sharp, E and G sharp. The main shape puts the root on the low E string at the 2nd fret, with the A string muted under the index.
The movable E9 shape at the 2nd fret, root on the low E string. The A string stays dead under the index finger. Slide the whole grip and it becomes whatever chord the low E is naming.
How to play F#9, step by step
- Index finger: press flat across the low E to B strings at fret 2
- Middle finger: 3rd fret, G string
- Pinky finger: 4th fret, high E string
- Strum from the low E down. The A string stays muted; let the nearest fretting finger touch it lightly.
This is the E9 shape at the 2nd fret. Because it is movable, learning it here gives you every dominant ninth with a root on the low E string.
More ways to play F#9
There are 2 common F#9 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.
Tight and percussive, sitting in the middle of the neck. Easy to choke with the palm and hit again, which is why funk rhythm lives on this grip.
If the shape is not clean
- The muted A string rings
- Lay the index flatter so its underside deadens the A string while it holds the low E and D at the 2nd fret.
- The barre is uneven near the nut
- The 2nd fret is still stiff. Roll the index onto its outer edge and press right behind the fret wire.
- The ninth on top is missing
- The pinky takes the high E at the 4th fret. Without it the chord is just F sharp 7, so check it on its own.
What makes it an F#9
F♯ · A♯ · C♯ · E · G♯ 1 3 5 ♭7 9
F#9 is an F#7 chord with a ninth added: F sharp, A sharp, C sharp and E make the seventh chord, and the G sharp makes it a ninth.
It is the V chord of B and the I chord of a blues in F sharp. In the key of B, which guitarists reach through barre chords anyway, the ninth is no harder than the seventh and sounds much better.
F#9 vs F#7
F#9 is F#7 with a G sharp added. Both pull toward B; the ninth does it with a smoother surface.
Both chords need a barre in this key, so the ninth costs nothing extra. That makes F sharp one of the keys where players use ninths as a matter of course.
F#9 chord questions
Is F#9 the same as Gb9?
Yes, the same chord spelled two ways. F#9 is what guitar charts use.
Why is the A string muted?
The grip leaves no room for it. The index deadens the A string while barring the low E and D strings, which is standard for this shape.
Is there an easier F#9?
The four string shape further down the page needs no barre, though it sits at the 8th and 9th frets. Many players find it the more practical of the two.
Is F#9 the same as F#7?
No. F#9 adds the ninth on top. Same job in a progression, noticeably richer sound.
Where is F#9 used?
As the V chord in B, as the I chord of a blues in F sharp, and in funk and soul rhythm guitar.
Chords to learn next
Other F# chords
F#9 guitar chord chart (2x2324) from melodician.com