How to play the F7#9 chord on guitar

The F7#9 chord, pronounced "F dominant sharp ninth," is a complex and intriguing guitar chord. It's known for its tense, dissonant sound, adding a unique flavor to jazz, blues, and funk music. Notable songs featuring the F7#9 include "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix and "Dominic" by Steely Dan. Mastering this chord can add depth and sophistication to your guitar playing.

The most popular way to play the F7#9 chord on guitar is as a barre chord starting on the 1st fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a F7#9 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 1st fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, use your thumb or a pick to strum all six strings together in a downward motion.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the F7#9 chord, try playing an F9 chord instead. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 1st (high E) string, middle finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd (G) string, and ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string. Strum the top four strings.

Playing the F7#9 chord as a barre chord can be a great way to add a full, rich sound to your playing, especially when you need to quickly transition between chords.

Here's how to play an F7#9 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across the 1st fret, covering all six strings (barre).
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd (B) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
5. Strum from the 6th (low E) string down.

The F7#9 chord is a jazzy, sophisticated chord that can add a touch of intrigue and tension to a chord progression. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the F7#9 chord:

• ii - V7 - I - VI (Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7 - Am7), with F7#9 substituting for G7. Used in "Fly Me to the Moon".
• I - VI - ii - V (Cmaj7 - Am7 - Dm7 - G7), with F7#9 substituting for G7. Used in "Girl from Ipanema".
• iii - VI - ii - V (Em7 - Am7 - Dm7 - G7), with F7#9 substituting for G7.
• I - IV - iii - VI (Cmaj7 - Fmaj7 - Em7 - Am7), with F7#9 substituting for Fmaj7.

To master the F7#9 chord, try playing the notes individually, focusing on clean execution and tone. Once comfortable, practice transitioning from the F7 chord to the F7#9 by adding the G# note. Repeat this process until the transition feels smooth and natural.

Alternatively, incorporate the F7#9 chord into a progression you enjoy playing. This could be a jazz standard or a familiar song that uses dominant 7th chords. By using the chord in a musical context, you'll develop muscle memory and a better understanding of how it functions within a progression.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the F7#9 chord.

1. In a Sentimental Mood by Duke Ellington (Dm7, G7, CMA7, F6, A7b9, Dm7, G7, Em7, A7, Dm7, G7, CMA7, F6, F#dim, Fm7, Bb7, EbMA7, C7#9, F7#9)
2. Lush Life by Billy Strayhorn (Db6/9, G7b9, CMA7#5, F#m7, B7b9, Em7, A7b9, Dm7, Fm7, Bb7, EbMA7, Ab7#9, F7#9, E6/9, A7#9, Dm7, G7#9)
3. Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael (G#7, C#m7, F#7, F#m6, B7, E6, C7, F#m7, E7#9, A6, F7, Bm7, E7, A6, F#7, F#m, B7, E6, E7, A6, F#7, F#m7, B7#9, C7#9, F#7#9)
4. Body and Soul by Johnny Green (Db6, Bbm7, Eb7, AbMA7, Dm7b5, G7b9, CMA7, C#dim7, Dm7, G7, Em7, Gm6, A7, Dm7, Db7, CMA7, Bm7, E7, A6, F#7, F#m7, B7, E6, C7, F#m7, B7, E6, C#m7, F#7, F#m7, E7#9, A6/9, D7, G7, CMA7, F7, Bb7, A7, D7, G7, C6/9, F7, E7, A7, D7, G7, Em7, A7, Dm7, G7, C6, F#dim, Dm7, G7, C6, F#7#9)
5. Naima by John Coltrane (Ebm7, Bbm7, Ab7#9, Db6/9, Dm7, G7#9, CMA7, C#m7, F#7#9)
6. Chelsea Bridge by Billy Strayhorn (Am7, D7#9, G7#9, CMA7, F#m7, B7, Em, G7#9, CMA7, F#m7, Bm7, E7#9, Am7, D7#9, G6/9, E7#9, Am7, F7#9)
7. Prelude to a Kiss by Duke Ellington (C6/9, Am7, D7#9, Dm7, G7, CMA7, Gm7, C7, F6/9, D7#9, G7#9, CMA7, F#m7, B7#9, Em7, A7, Dm7, G7, Em7, A7, Dm7, G7, C6/9, F7#9)
8. Lazy Bird by John Coltrane (Dm7, Db7, CMA7, Bm7, Bb7, Am7, Ab7, GMA7, C#m7, F#7, F#m7, B7, E6, C7#9, F7#9)
9. Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum by Wayne Shorter (Em7, A7, Dm7, G7, CMA7, F#m7, B7, Em7, C#m7, F#7, Bm7, E7, Am7, D7, Gm7, C7, Fm7, Bb7, EbMA7, C7#9, F7#9)
10. 26-2 by John Coltrane (Dm7, Eb7#9, EbMA7, Gm7, C7#9, Fm7, Bb7#9, EbMA7, F#m7, B7#9, EMA7, C#m7, F#7#9)