F♯ major seventh (F♯maj7) chord on piano

The F♯ major seventh chord (F♯maj7) is a major seventh chord (a major triad plus a major seventh), made of four notes: F♯ – A♯ – C♯ – E♯. The same chord with a different spelling: G♭ major seventh (G♭maj7).

Root position: F♯4 – A♯4 – C♯5 – E♯5

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What the F♯maj7 chord sounds like

The major seventh chord sounds soft, dreamy and a little jazzy. The major seventh sits a half step below the root, so it rubs gently against it without needing to resolve.

Notes of the F♯maj7 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	F♯	root
3	A♯	major third (4 semitones)
5	C♯	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
7	E♯	major seventh (11 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 – E♯5

1st inversion

A♯4 – C♯5 – E♯5 – F♯5

2nd inversion

C♯5 – E♯5 – F♯5 – A♯5

3rd inversion

E♯5 – F♯5 – A♯5 – C♯6

Which keys is it in?

The F♯maj7 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

F♯ major: Imaj7 (tonic)
D♯ minor: IIImaj7

Similar chords and substitutes

If F♯maj7 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

E♭m7 – relative minor seventh: three shared notes
B♭m7 – mediant minor seventh: three shared notes
F♯6 – another tonic colour, more vintage and swingy

Simpler versions

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

Richer versions

F♯maj9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the F♯maj7 chord?

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

How do I play the F♯maj7 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♯maj7 chord written?

The chord symbol is F♯maj7 (also written F#maj7), and its full name is F♯ major seventh.