F#7 Chord on Guitar - how to play with easy finger positions (2024)

How to play

Learn to play the jazzy F#7 chord, featured in songs like "Birdland" and "Spain."

The F#7 chordFinger placement for F#7 chordHow to play an easy F#7 chord on guitarHow to play a F#7 bar chordCommon F#7 chord progressionsDrills to master the F#7 chordSongs that feature the F#7 chordHow a guitar teacher can help

The F#7 chord

The F#7 chord, pronounced "F sharp dominant seventh," is a versatile chord that adds a bluesy, jazzy flavor to progressions. Notable for its sharp, edgy sound, the F#7 is often used in blues, jazz, and funk music to create tension and resolution. Mastering the F#7 chord opens up a world of exciting possibilities for spicing up your guitar playing across various genres.

There are many ways to play a chord. Here's a diagram for the most common F#7 chord. We've also included other versions below.

F#7 Chord on Guitar - how to play with easy finger positions (1)

Unlock your playing potential in online guitar lessons with experts on Til. Start today and achieve your guitar goals quickly. Find a top-rated teacher.

Finger placement for F#7 chord

The F#7 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 2nd fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a F#7 chord on your guitar:

  1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 2nd fret, creating a barre.
  2. Place your middle finger on the 3rd 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.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to play all six strings in a downward motion, ensuring that each string rings out clearly.

F#7 Chord on Guitar - how to play with easy finger positions (2)

How to play an easy F#7 chord on guitar

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the F#7 chord, try this:

  1. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 6th (low E) string.
  2. Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
  3. Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
  4. Strum only these three strings.

How to play a F#7 bar chord

The F#7 barre chord is a versatile alternative to the standard F#7 chord, allowing you to easily transition between chords and play in different positions on the fretboard.

Here's how to play an F#7 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 3rd 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 from the 6th (low E) string down to the 1st (high E) string.

Common F#7 chord progressions

The F#7 chord is often used to add a bluesy, jazzy, or funky flavor to chord progressions, creating a sense of tension and resolution. Some common chord progressions featuring the F#7 chord include:

  • I - IV - F#7 - I (A - D - F#7 - A) Used in "Twist and Shout" and "La Bamba"
  • I - vi - F#7 - V (A - F#m - F#7 - E) Used in "I Will Survive" and "Stand By Me"
  • ii - V - I - F#7 (Bm - E - A - F#7) Used in "Fly Me to the Moon" and "Autumn Leaves"
  • I - F#7 - IV - V (A - F#7 - D - E) Used in "Hound Dog" and "Johnny B. Goode"
  • vi - F#7 - ii - V (F#m - F#7 - Bm - E) Used in "All the Things You Are" and "Cry Me a River"

Drills to master the F#7 chord

To master the F#7 chord, try this simple drill: play each note (F#, A#, C#, E) individually, focusing on clarity and tone. Once comfortable, play the notes together as a chord, strumming or plucking. Repeat this process slowly, gradually increasing speed as you build confidence.

Another effective drill is to practice transitioning to and from the F#7 chord. Choose a progression like F#7 to B7 to E7 and play each chord for a measure. As you improve, try more complex progressions and rhythm patterns to develop your skills.

Unlock your playing potential in online guitar lessons with experts on Til. Start today and achieve your guitar goals quickly. Find a top-rated teacher.

F#7 Chord on Guitar - how to play with easy finger positions (3)

Abbey F.

"Nena tailored the class to us and what we wanted to learn. She gave us tips and tricks on how to play songs we wanted at whatever level we are at, I always felt encouraged. This class has been an invaluable part of my guitar playing journey."

Songs that feature the F#7 chord

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the F#7 chord.

  1. Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix (E7, G, A, F#7)
  2. 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago (Am, F, Dm7, F#7)
  3. Maria Maria by Santana featuring The Product G&B (Dm7, F#7, E7)
  4. Birdland by Weather Report (Dm7, G7, C7, F#7)
  5. Chameleon by Herbie Hancock (F#7)
  6. Spain by Chick Corea (G, F#7, Em, F#7)
  7. Oye Como Va by Santana (Am7, D7, F#7)
  8. Aja by Steely Dan (F#7, C#7, F#m7, B7, E)
  9. Giant Steps by John Coltrane (B, D7, G, Bb7, Eb, Am7, D7, F#7, B, F#7)
  10. Roundabout by Yes (E, C#m7, F#7, B7sus4, E, C#m7, A, E)

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.

View dominant seventh chords by root note

C7How to play the C7 chord on Guitar
C#7How to play the C#7 chord on Guitar
D7How to play the D7 chord on Guitar
Eb7How to play the Eb7 chord on Guitar
E7How to play the E7 chord on Guitar
F7How to play the F7 chord on Guitar
G7How to play the G7 chord on Guitar
Ab7How to play the Ab7 chord on Guitar
A7How to play the A7 chord on Guitar
Bb7How to play the Bb7 chord on Guitar
B7How to play the B7 chord on Guitar

View F# chord alterations

F# majorHow to play the F# major chord on Guitar
F# minorHow to play the F# minor chord on Guitar
F#dimHow to play the F#dim chord on Guitar
F#dim7How to play the F#dim7 chord on Guitar
F#sus2How to play the F#sus2 chord on Guitar
F#sus4How to play the F#sus4 chord on Guitar
F#7sus4How to play the F#7sus4 chord on Guitar
F#augHow to play the F#aug chord on Guitar
F#6How to play the F#6 chord on Guitar
F#69How to play the F#69 chord on Guitar
F#9How to play the F#9 chord on Guitar
F#7b9How to play the F#7b9 chord on Guitar
F#7#9How to play the F#7#9 chord on Guitar
F#11How to play the F#11 chord on Guitar
F#13How to play the F#13 chord on Guitar
F#maj7How to play the F#maj7 chord on Guitar
F#maj7#5How to play the F#maj7#5 chord on Guitar
F#maj9How to play the F#maj9 chord on Guitar
F#maj13How to play the F#maj13 chord on Guitar
F#m6How to play the F#m6 chord on Guitar
F#m7How to play the F#m7 chord on Guitar
F#m7b5How to play the F#m7b5 chord on Guitar
F#m9How to play the F#m9 chord on Guitar
F#m11How to play the F#m11 chord on Guitar

Learn guitar all over the world

BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedElectricAcousticClassicalBluesJazzCountryFingerstyleRockPopGuitar TheoryGuitar Technique

AlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinWyoming

New York CityLos AngelesBrooklynChicagoHoustonQueensPhoenixPhiladelphiaManhattanSan AntonioSan DiegoThe BronxDallasSan JoseJacksonvilleAustinFort WorthColumbusIndianapolisCharlotteSan FranciscoSeattleDenverNashvilleEl PasoOklahoma CityDetroitBostonPortlandNew South MemphisMemphisLas VegasMilwaukeeBaltimoreSouth BostonAlbuquerqueTucsonFresnoSacramentoOmahaKansas CityLong BeachMesaStaten IslandAtlantaColorado SpringsVirginia BeachRaleighMiamiOakland

F#7 Chord on Guitar - how to play with easy finger positions (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

Last Updated:

Views: 5927

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

Birthday: 1993-08-23

Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

Phone: +9958996486049

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.