How to play the F#m9 chord on guitar

The F#m9 chord, pronounced "F sharp minor ninth," is a complex and hauntingly beautiful guitar voicing. It adds the ninth scale degree to the F# minor triad, creating a rich, jazzy sound with a touch of dissonance. This chord is often used in genres like jazz, neo-soul, and R&B to add depth and sophistication to progressions and can evoke a melancholic or contemplative mood.

The F#m9 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 2nd fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a F#m9 chord on your guitar:

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

To strum this chord, place your fingers in the correct positions and strum all six strings together in a downward motion.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the F#m9 chord, try playing an F#m7 chord instead. Place your first finger on the 2nd fret of the low E string, second finger on the 2nd fret of the B string, and third finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string.

The F#m9 chord is most commonly played as a standard open chord, but learning the barre chord version can be useful for quickly changing to other chords in the same area of the fretboard.

Here's how to play an F#m9 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across the 2nd fret, covering all six strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 4th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum all six strings from low to high.

The F#m9 chord often serves as a melancholic or contemplative pivot point in progressions, adding depth and introspection to the harmonic landscape. Some common chord progressions featuring F#m9 include:

• i - bVI - bIII - bVII (F#m9 - D - A - E) - Used in "Creep" by Radiohead
• i - bVI - iv - V (F#m9 - D - Bm - C#)
• i - bIII - bVII - IV (F#m9 - A - E - B)
• i - v - bVI - bVII (F#m9 - C#m - D - E)
• i - bIII - iv - bVI (F#m9 - A - Bm - D)

To master the F#m9 chord, try playing each note individually, focusing on clean execution and tone. Once comfortable, play the notes in sequence, ascending and descending, to familiarize yourself with the chord's structure.

Next, practice transitioning to and from the F#m9 chord, using common progressions like F#m9 - B - C#m - F#m9. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed, ensuring each chord rings out clearly. Incorporate the F#m9 into your favorite songs or create your own chord progressions to develop muscle memory and fluidity.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the F#m9 chord.

1. Ripple by Grateful Dead (F#m9, A, B, F#)
2. What's Up by 4 Non Blondes (F#m9, B, A, E)
3. Hey Ya! by OutKast (F#m9, G#m7, A, B)
4. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd (F#m9, B, A, G#m)
5. Pyramid Song by Radiohead (F#m9, E, D, B)
6. Blackbird by The Beatles (F#m9, C#m7, A, B)
7. The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel (F#m9, A, B, C#m)
8. Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix (F#m9, E, G#m, A)
9. Drive by Incubus (F#m9, E, A, B)
10. Creep by Radiohead (F#m9, B, C#m, G#)