How to play the F#maj13 chord on guitar
Spice up your playing with this jazzy chord, as heard in "Wonderwall" and more!
The F#maj13 chord
The F#maj13 chord, pronounced "F sharp major thirteenth," is a sophisticated and harmonically rich voicing. Notable for its jazzy and complex sound, this chord extends the F# major triad with the 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th notes. While less common in popular music, it adds a unique flavor to jazz, fusion, and progressive rock genres, often used as a passing or resolving chord.
There are many ways to play a chord. Here's a diagram for the most common F#maj13 chord. We've also included other versions below.
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Finger placement for F#maj13 chord
The most common way to play the F#maj13 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 2nd fret.
Follow these finger positions to play a F#maj13 chord on your guitar:
- Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 2nd fret.
- 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.
Strum all six strings together to play the F#maj13 chord.
How to play an easy F#maj13 chord on guitar
If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the F#maj13 chord, try playing just the 1st (root), 3rd, 7th, and 13th notes of the chord. This would be: F# (1st fret of the 2nd string), A# (1st fret of the 4th string), E# (1st fret of the 3rd string), and C# (4th fret of the 1st string).
How to play a F#maj13 bar chord
The F#maj13 chord is typically played using individual notes rather than as a barre chord. Playing the full barre chord version can be quite challenging, especially for beginners, and is not a common fingering for this chord. I would recommend focusing on the standard F#maj13 fingering or simplified variations of the chord instead.
Common F#maj13 chord progressions
The F#maj13 chord adds a dreamy, jazzy flavor to progressions, creating a sophisticated and slightly melancholic atmosphere. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the F#maj13 chord:
- I - vi - ii - V (F#maj13 - D#m7 - G#m7 - C#7)
- ii - V - I (G#m7 - C#7 - F#maj13) Used in "Lush Life" and "Stardust"
- iii - VI - ii - V (A#m7 - D#7 - G#m7 - C#7)
- I - IV - V (F#maj13 - Bmaj7 - C#7)
- vi - ii - V - I (D#m7 - G#m7 - C#7 - F#maj13)
Drills to master the F#maj13 chord
To master the F#maj13 chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, starting from the lowest (F#) and ascending to the highest (D#). Focus on clarity and precision. Once comfortable, play the notes in reverse order, descending from D# to F#.
Another effective drill is to play the chord tones in intervals. Start with the root (F#) and alternate with each successive note: F#-A#, F#-C#, F#-E#, F#-G#, F#-D#. This exercise helps you internalize the chord structure and create smooth transitions when changing chords.
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Songs that feature the F#maj13 chord
Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the F#maj13 chord.
- Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton (A, E, F#m, D)
- Love on the Weekend by John Mayer (F#maj7, D#m7, C#m7, B7)
- Pyramid Song by Radiohead (F#maj7, D#m7, C#7, F#7)
- Prelude in E Major, Op. 28, No. 9 by Frédéric Chopin (E, C#m, F#m, B7, A, F#, D#m, G#7, C#)
- Neon by John Mayer (F#maj7, E, B/D#, C#m7)
- Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy (F#maj7, G#7, C#m7, F#7)
- Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (Am, G#m, C, D, F#m, G#maj7, D#m)
- Friends by Joe Satriani (F#maj7, D#m7, C#m7, B7, A#m7, G#7)
- Letter from Home by Pat Metheny (F#maj7, B, C#7, F#7)
- Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers (Am, Em7, G, Dm7, F#maj7)
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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