F#m7 Chord (F# minor 7th) on Guitar
F#m7 (F# minor 7th) is made of the notes F# – A – C# – E. The easiest guitar fingering is 242220 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
How to play F#m7
- Press the 6th string (low E) at fret 2 (F#).
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 4 (C#).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 2 (E).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 2 (A).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 2 (C#).
- Play the 1st string (high e) open (E).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | 2 | F# | R |
| 5th string (A) | 4 | C# | 5 |
| 4th string (D) | 2 | E | b7 |
| 3rd string (G) | 2 | A | b3 |
| 2nd string (B) | 2 | C# | 5 |
| 1st string (high e) | 0 (open) | E | b7 |
What is a F# minor 7th chord?
A minor 7th chord is a minor triad with a minor seventh added on top.
Notes and formula. F#m7 contains F#, A, C#, E. Counted from the root F#, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th), b7 (minor 7th). It is also written Gbm7; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
Sound. Mellow, warm and relaxed. It is minor without the sadness of a plain minor triad.
Where it is used. Everywhere in funk, soul, R&B, jazz and lo-fi. It is the ii chord in jazz ii-V-I progressions and a common substitute for the plain minor chord.
Tips for playing F#m7
Many minor 7th shapes are easier than the minor chord itself because they lift a finger. Try swapping Am for Am7 in a song you know.
Common mistake: Treating m7 and maj7 as the same. The "m" means the third is minor; the 7 means the seventh is a minor seventh.
Keys that contain F#m7
F#m7 is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
- D major – iii chord
- E major – ii chord
- A major – vi chord
- B minor – v chord
- C# minor – iv chord
- F# minor – i chord
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Scales to play over F#m7
Related chords
F#m7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a F#m7 chord?
F#m7 (F# minor 7th) contains the notes F#, A, C#, E. The formula is R–b3–5–b7 relative to the root F#.
How do you play F#m7 on guitar?
The most common shape for F#m7 is 242220, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is F#m7 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is F#m7 the same as Gbm7?
Yes. F# and Gb are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so F#m7 and Gbm7 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
Which keys contain F#m7?
F#m7 is a diatonic chord in D major (iii), E major (ii), A major (vi), B minor (v), C# minor (iv), F# minor (i).
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