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How to play the F#69 chord on guitar

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The F#69 chord

The F#69 chord, pronounced "F sharp six nine," is a colorful and expressive chord that adds a dreamy, ethereal quality to music. It's composed of the notes F#, A#, C#, D#, and G#. This chord is notably used in jazz, R&B, and neo-soul genres to create lush harmonic textures. Artists like Erykah Badu and D'Angelo have featured the F#69 chord prominently in their songs.

There are many ways to play a chord. Here's a diagram for the most common F#69 chord. We've also included other versions below.

F#69 guitar chord diagram

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Finger placement for F#69 chord

The F#69 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 2nd fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a F#69 chord on your guitar:

  1. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st (low E), 2nd (A), 3rd (D), 4th (G), 5th (B), and 6th (high E) strings. This is a barre chord.
  2. Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd (D) string.
  3. Place your pinky finger on the 4th fret of the 4th (G) string.

Strum all six strings together to play the F#69 chord. Make sure to apply enough pressure with your index finger to cleanly barre all the strings on the 2nd fret.

F#69 guitar chord with finger positions

How to play an easy F#69 chord on guitar

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the F#69 chord, try playing an F# major chord instead. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 6th (low E) string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.

How to play a F#69 bar chord

Playing the F#69 barre chord can give a fuller, richer sound compared to the open version. It's also a great way to build finger strength and dexterity.

Here's how to play a F#69 barre chord:

  1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 2nd fret, creating a barre.
  2. Place your middle finger on the 4th 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.

Common F#69 chord progressions

The F#69 chord adds a dreamy and sensual flavor to chord progressions, often evoking feelings of longing, nostalgia, or bittersweet emotions. Some common chord progressions featuring the F#69 chord include:

  • I - vi - IV - V (F#69 - D#m7 - B69 - C#7) Used in "Nights in White Satin" and "Watermelon Sugar"
  • ii - V - I - vi (G#m7 - C#7 - F#69 - D#m7)
  • iii - vi - ii - V (A#m7 - D#m7 - G#m7 - C#7)
  • IV - V - iii - vi (B69 - C#7 - A#m7 - D#m7) Used in "Fly Me to the Moon"
  • vi - IV - I - V (D#m7 - B69 - F#69 - C#7)

Drills to master the F#69 chord

To master the F#69 guitar chord, try playing each note individually, focusing on clarity and tone. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between the notes in different orders, such as F#-A#-C#-D#-G# or G#-D#-C#-A#-F#. This drill helps build finger dexterity and muscle memory.

Another effective drill is to play the chord as an arpeggio, plucking each note one at a time in ascending or descending order. This exercise allows you to concentrate on each note's sound and develops your ability to play the chord smoothly and evenly.

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Songs that feature the F#69 chord

Here are 3 popular songs you can play with the F#6/9 chord.

  1. Purple Rain by Prince (F#6/9, Bmaj7, D#m7, G#m7)
  2. Coma by Guns N' Roses (F#6/9, F#, B, E)
  3. Faraway by Apocalyptica (F#6/9, D#m, B, C#)

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.

You can find expert guitar teachers to support you in the journey. Thousands of people have turned to online guitar lessons on Til, instead of traditional in-person lessons, because Til gives you access to the best teachers in the world from the comfort of home. And with flexible scheduling, secure payments, lesson recordings, and a private chat with your teacher–there’s never been a better way to learn guitar.