The F sharp minor chord is enharmonically the same as the G flat minor chord. Out of the two chord names, F#m gets used far more often, because of the common keys that it is used in. For example, F#m is the relative minor of A Major, which is a very popular chord and key on the guitar. 

The A note (flat 3rd) in F#m can technically be played on an open string, but the chord itself is basically never played as an open chord, because the open A string is in a low register and sounds muddy when played with the lower F# root note. Instead, the F#m chord is often played as a bar chord on the 2nd fret (root 6) or 9th fret (root 5). 

Some Quick F#m Chord Theory

  • The F sharp minor chord contains the notes F#, A and C#.
  • The F#m chord is produced by playing the 1st (root), flat 3rd and 5th notes of the F# Major scale.
  • The F# minor chord (just like all minor chords) contains the following intervals (from the root note): minor 3rd, Major 3rd, Perfect 4th (back to the root note).
  • F# minor is the relative minor of A Major.
  • F#m is the first chord in the key of F sharp minor. The seven chords in the key of F# minor are: F#m, G# diminished, A+, Bm, C#, D, E# diminished

10 Ways To Play The F Sharp Minor Chord

If you’ve come to this page just to view some chord diagrams for F#m, here they are.

F# Minor Chord - 10 Shapes

Further Reading