F Sharp Minor Chord (F#m)

Need to learn how to play the F sharp minor chord on guitar? Check out the video lesson, chord chart, and photo below to see how to play the F#m chord with ease!

Jump to Section:

• Video Lesson
• Chord Chart & Description
• Notes of the F Sharp Minor Chord

F Sharp Minor Chord Video Lesson

How to play the F Sharp Minor guitar chord: Chart, Photo, and Description

Below are a couple of different ways you can play the F#m chord on guitar.

Option 1: The full barre

If you’ve learned F minor, you’re only one fret away from F sharp minor! It’s the same E minor shape, with the barre at fret 2.

To play the F#m chord, place your left hand fingers on the following strings and frets:

• Index (Finger 1): Barre on all 6 strings at fret 2
  • String 6 (F#)
  • String 3 (A)
  • String 2 (C#)
  • String 1 (F#)
• Ring (Finger 3): Fret 4, String 5 (C#)
• Pinky (Finger 4): Fret 4, String 4 (F#)

This is the big idea behind barre chords. Moving a shape up one fret moves the whole chord up one half step, just like moving up one fret on a single string. The E minor shape at fret 1 is F minor, at fret 2 it’s F sharp minor, and at fret 3 it’s G minor.

When it comes to pressure, fingers 3 and 4 are already holding down strings 5 and 4. So you can let the middle of your index finger relax a little there. Strings 6, 3, 2 and 1 are the ones your barre has to sound clearly.

You’ll come across F sharp minor all the time, especially in songs in the key of A major. It’s one of the chords in Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers, for example.

If the full barre isn’t clean yet, don’t worry. Start with the half barre below and add one string at a time. My barre chord guide has a step-by-step way to practice this..

Option 2: The half barre (beginner)

If you’re a beginner, a half barre across the top three strings is a great place to start.

To play this variation:

• Index (Finger 1): Half barre on three strings at fret 2
  • String 1 (F#)
  • String 2 (C#)
  • String 3 (A)
• Ring (Finger 3): Fret 4, String 5 (C#)
• Pinky (Finger 4): Fret 4, String 4 (F#)
• Avoid playing string 6

What are the notes in an F Sharp Minor chord?

The notes of the F#m chord are:

• F# (Root)
• A (Third)
• C# (Fifth)