F♯ minor seventh (F♯m7) chord on piano

Minor seventh chord (a minor triad plus a minor seventh) on F♯: the notes of the F♯m7 chord are F♯ – A – C♯ – E. The same chord with a different spelling: G♭ minor seventh (G♭m7).

Root position: F♯4 – A4 – C♯5 – E5

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What the F♯m7 chord sounds like

A minor seventh chord is softer than a plain minor chord – the minor seventh fills out the sound. In jazz it is the ii of the ii–V–I, in pop and soul a common colour chord.

Notes of the F♯m7 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	F♯	root
3	A	minor third (3 semitones)
5	C♯	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
7	E	minor seventh (10 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 – A4 – C♯5 – E5

1st inversion

A4 – C♯5 – E5 – F♯5

2nd inversion

C♯5 – E5 – F♯5 – A5

3rd inversion

E5 – F♯5 – A5 – C♯6

Which keys is it in?

The F♯m7 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

F♯ minor: i7 (tonic)
B minor: v7 (dominant)
C♯ minor: iv7 (subdominant)
D major: iii7
A major: vi7
E major: ii7

Similar chords and substitutes

If F♯m7 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

Amaj7 – relative major seventh: three shared notes
B7 – in a ii–V, this is the dominant that follows

Same notes

A6 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

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

Richer versions

F♯m9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the F♯m7 chord?

F♯, A, C♯, E. The root is F♯; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh.

How do I play the F♯m7 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♯m7 chord written?

The chord symbol is F♯m7 (also written F#m7), and its full name is F♯ minor seventh.