How to play the F#m guitar chord (+ easy variations)

F sharp minor (F#m) is a versatile chord every guitarist can learn to expand their repertoire. The F#m guitar chord might seem tricky at first, but you can learn it easily with some surprisingly small adjustments and variations.

Our guide will teach you how to play the F#m chord and will explore some simple variations to make it suitable for your guitar skills.

How to play the F# minor chord

The F# minor chord is played as a barre chord. Unlike most beginner chords, barre chords require you to play multiple strings with a single finger, using a technique known as barring. Barre chords are challenging for beginners due to the finger strength and accuracy required to play them. However, with consistent practice, you can play F# minor and other barre chords in no time.

Here’s how to play the F#m chord in its standard form:

• Index finger: Barre all six strings on the second fret.
• Ring finger: Press down on the fourth fret of the A string (5th string).
• Pinky finger: Press down on the fourth fret of the D string (4th string).

Strum all six strings to hear the full F#m chord.

Tips for proper technique

• Position your index finger just behind the second fret and press firmly to ensure all strings ring out clearly.
• Play each string individually after creating the chord shape and listen. If some strings sound muted, then you may not be pressing the string all the way against the fretboard.
• Curl your index and ring fingers more if you accidentally touch other strings and stop them from ringing. Use just the tips of your fingers to press down the A and D strings.
• Keep your wrist relaxed and experiment with different hand positions to find the most comfortable angle.

Easy F# minor chord variations

Like with many techniques and skills, it may be easier to play the F# minor chord by starting with simpler variations. Slowly increase the difficulty as you learn to play the full F# minor chord.

Here are some simple variations of the F# minor guitar chord that require less finger strength and fewer notes, making them ideal for beginners.

Simplified F#m (Mini-barre)

Playing the F#m guitar chord doesn’t get easier than this! To play this variation:

• Place your index finger across the three highest strings (G, B, and high E) on the second fret.
• Strum only the top three strings. Don’t play the bottom three strings at all.

This variation captures the essence of the F#m chord and is much easier to play if barre chords are still too difficult for you. This F# minor chord variation is easy to remember if you’re familiar with the major A chord on the guitar. It uses the same A chord shape, but you play it on the highest three strings.

Simplified F#m (Open chord)

Another alternative for a simple F# minor chord is to fret only the D string with your index finger. Meanwhile, your ring and pinky fingers form the chord shape, just like in the full barre variation.

Here’s how to play this variation:

• Index finger: Press down only the second fret of the G string (3rd string) instead of fretting all strings.
• Ring finger: Press down on the fourth fret of the D string (4th string).
• Pinky finger: Press down on the fourth fret of the A string (5th string).

Remember not to play the low E string at all. Try muting it with your thumb to stop it from ringing. This chord won’t sound exactly the same as the full F# minor chord, but it is a great substitute if you’re still learning barre chords.

F#m Power Chord (F#5)

Power chords are perfect for rock and pop music. What’s more, you don’t have to barre all six strings. You can play most power chords with just two fingers on the fretboard. To play the F#5 chord:

• Press down on the second fret of the low E string (6th string) with your index finger.
• Press down on the fourth fret of the A string (5th string) with your ring finger.
• Strum only the E and A strings. Don’t play the other strings so you don’t add unwanted notes to the chord.

Just like all power chords, the F#5 sounds great with a slight distortion effect. Try to play this chord while you mute it with the palm of your strumming hand. You can also add a third note for a fuller sound by pressing down on the fifth fret of the D string.

F#m7 chord (simple barre chord)

The F#m7 chord adds a jazzy, softer feel to your playing. Once you learn this chord shape, you’ll be very close to playing the full F# chord. Just add your pinky on the D string, and you’re good to go!

Here’s how to play this variation:

• Barre all six strings on the second fret with your index finger.
• Press down on the fourth fret of the D string (4th string) with your ring finger.
• Strum all six strings.

What does “sharp” mean in music?

In music, a “sharp” refers to a note that is raised by one half-step (one semitone). The # symbol is used to indicate that a note is sharp. The word flat (denoted by ♭) is the opposite of sharp, meaning that the note is lowered one half-step.

For example, playing an F# (F sharp) means playing the note one semitone higher than F. On the guitar, this typically means moving one fret higher. For example, you could move up from A to A# or lower to A♭.

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