F♯ add9 (F♯add9) chord on piano

Looking for the F♯add9 chord on piano? It is an add9 chord (a major triad plus a major ninth, no seventh), made of four notes: F♯ – A♯ – C♯ – G♯. The same chord with a different spelling: G♭ add9 (G♭add9).

Root position: F♯4 – A♯4 – C♯5 – G♯5

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What the F♯add9 chord sounds like

An add9 chord is a major triad with an added ninth and no seventh. It sounds bright and shimmering – a favourite colour in acoustic pop.

Notes of the F♯add9 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	F♯	root
3	A♯	major third (4 semitones)
5	C♯	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
9	G♯	major second (2 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

F♯4 – A♯4 – C♯5 – G♯5

1st inversion

A♯4 – C♯5 – G♯5 – F♯5

2nd inversion

C♯5 – G♯5 – F♯5 – A♯5

3rd inversion

G♯5 – F♯5 – A♯5 – C♯6

Which keys is it in?

The F♯add9 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

F♯ major: Iadd9 (tonic)
B major: Vadd9 (dominant)
G♯ minor: VIIadd9
D♯ minor: IIIadd9

Similar chords and substitutes

If F♯add9 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

E♭m – relative minor: two shared notes, a common stand-in for the tonic
B♭m – mediant minor (iii): two shared notes
F♯maj7 – a softer, jazzier tonic colour
F♯sus4 – suspended version that resolves back to this chord

Simpler versions

F♯ – all 3 of its notes are in this chord
F♯sus2 – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

F♯9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
F♯maj9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
F♯11 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes
F♯13 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the F♯add9 chord?

F♯, A♯, C♯, G♯. The root is F♯; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, perfect fifth, major second.

How do I play the F♯add9 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the F♯add9 chord written?

The chord symbol is F♯add9 (also written F#add9), and its full name is F♯ add9.