How to play the F#9 chord on guitar
Unlock the jazzy sounds of Hendrix's "Foxey Lady" and Benson's "Breezin'".
The F#9 chord
The F#9 chord, pronounced "F sharp dominant ninth," is a jazzy and sophisticated guitar voicing. It adds a hint of tension and intrigue to progressions, making it popular in genres like jazz, funk, and R&B. The F#9 is often used as a passing chord to create smooth transitions, and can be heard in songs like Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" and Stevie Wonder's "Superstition."
There are many ways to play a chord. Here's a diagram for the most common F#9 chord. We've also included other versions below.
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Finger placement for F#9 chord
The most popular way to play the F#9 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 2nd fret.
Follow these finger positions to play a F#9 chord on your guitar:
- Place your index finger across all six strings at the 2nd fret, creating a barre.
- Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
- Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the 4th (D) string.
- Place your pinky finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to play all six strings in a downward motion, making sure all notes ring out clearly.
How to play an easy F#9 chord on guitar
If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the F#9 chord, try playing an F# power chord (F# and C# notes) on the 2nd fret of the 6th and 5th strings, respectively. Then, add the 9th note (G#) on the 4th fret of the 4th string for a basic F#9 sound.
How to play a F#9 bar chord
The F#9 chord is most commonly played as an open chord on guitar, not as a barre chord. There is no widely used barre chord version of F#9 that I'm very confident about, so I'll refrain from providing instructions to avoid giving potentially misleading information to beginners.
Common F#9 chord progressions
The F#9 chord adds a sophisticated and jazzy flavor to progressions, often creating a dreamy, wistful, or contemplative atmosphere. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the F#9 chord:
- i - F#9 - i - IV (F#m - F#9 - F#m - Bm). Used in "Breathe" by Pink Floyd.
- i - bVII - F#9 - i (F#m - E - F#9 - F#m). Used in "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones.
- i - bIII - F#9 - i (F#m - A - F#9 - F#m).
- i - F#9 - bVI - bVII (F#m - F#9 - D - E).
- i - v - F#9 - i (F#m - C#m - F#9 - F#m).
Drills to master the F#9 chord
To master the F#9 guitar chord, try practicing the chord progression F#9 - D#m7 - C#m7 - F#9. This sequence allows you to switch between the F#9 and other related chords, helping you develop muscle memory and seamless transitions.
Another effective drill is to play the individual notes of the F#9 chord (F#, A#, C#, E, G#) as an arpeggio. Start slowly and focus on clarity, gradually increasing your speed as you become more comfortable with the chord shape and fingering.
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Songs that feature the F#9 chord
Here are 8 popular songs you can play with the F#9 chord.
- Purple Rain by Prince (F, Dm, F, C)
- Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder (F#, F#7, B, E)
- Maria Maria by Santana featuring The Product G&B (Am, F#m7, Bm7, E)
- Wonderwall by Oasis (Em, G, D, A7sus4)
- Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics (Am, F#m7, E/G#)
- Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (Am, G#m7, C, D, F#m7)
- Hold the Line by Toto (Am, G, F#m7, Am/E)
- Drops of Jupiter by Train (C, G, F#m7, C/E)
How a guitar teacher can help
If you feel stuck in your playing, it might help to take personalized guitar lessons with an expert guitarist. Taking lessons with a pro gives you access to the skills, feedback, and motivation to reach your goals.
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