F# dominant 7th sharp 9 · Guitar
F#7♯9 Chord on Guitar
The F#7♯9 chord (F# dominant 7th sharp 9) is built from the notes F#, A#, C#, E and A. The guitar fingering for it is shown below. The same chord is also written Gb7♯9; both spellings sound identical.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 6 (E): muted
- string 5 (A): muted
- string 4 (D): fret 4 — middle finger
- string 3 (G): fret 3 — index finger
- string 2 (B): fret 5 — ring finger
- string 1 (E): fret 5 — little finger
Notes in this chord
- F♯
- A♯
- C♯
- E
- A
Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – ♯9
Also written: Gb7♯9
How to play
F#7♯9 can be played with open strings on guitar, which makes it an accessible shape for beginners. Strings marked ○ ring open, while strings marked ✕ are muted.
Theory behind the chord
Often called the Hendrix chord, the 7♯9 stacks a sharpened ninth over a dominant seventh. Major and minor thirds sound at once, producing the gritty clash that defines psychedelic rock and funk. On F#7♯9 this structure sits on the root F#, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – ♯9 map onto F#, A#, C#, E and A.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the F#7♯9 chord?
- F#7♯9 contains the notes F#, A#, C#, E and A. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – ♯9.
- How many ways can you play F#7♯9?
- Minory lists a single guitar fingering for F#7♯9.
- Is the F#7♯9 chord hard to play?
- F#7♯9 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.
- Are F#7♯9 and Gb7♯9 the same chord?
- Yes. F#7♯9 and Gb7♯9 are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.
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