In this lesson we will learn how to play an F sharp major chordon the piano or keyboard.
Notes of the F Sharp Major Scale
Let’s first of all learn the notes of the F# major scale. These notes are F# – G# – A# – B – C# – D# – E#.
F# is the 1st note or tonic of the major scale. G# is the 2nd note or major second. A# is the 3rd note of the scale or the major 3rd. B is the 4th note or the perfect fourth. C# is the 5th note or the perfect 5th. D# is the 6th note of the F sharp major scale or the major 6th. E# is the 7th note or the major 7th. And F#, one octave higher is the perfect 8th.
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How To Form F# Major Chord
Like all other major triads, the F# major chord consists of three notes, the root, major third and perfect fifth of the major scale. These note are F# – A# – C#. Press these notes simultaneously and there you have it… an F# major chord!
Formula for Forming Major Chord
Another way to form this chord is with the major chordformula, R + 4HS + 3 HS (root plus 4 half steps + 3 half steps). Find the note F# which is the first note in the set of three black keys on your piano keyboard, go 4 half steps higher (3 keys to the right) and play A sharp, then go 3 half steps higher (3 keys to the right) and play C sharp.
The F# maj chord in its root position and 1st and 2nd inversions
Let’s now learn to play the F sharp major chord in root position, first and second inversions. We’ve already seen that you can play this chord by combining the 1st, 3rd and 5th note of the F# major scale. When the notes are played in the order F# – A# – C#, this is called the root position.
We can switch the order of notes and play this chord with F# at the top. This gives us A# – C# – F#. This is called the first inversion of the F#maj chord.
Another way to play this chord is with A# at the top. The notes are therefore in the order, C# – F# – A#. This is the second inversion of the chord.
To learn more about chords, check out my course, Piano Chords: How To Form Basic Chords On Piano And Keyboard.
The diagram below shows the F sharp chord in root position, 1st and 2nd inversions.
Chord Fingerings
So how do you play this chord? What fingers go where?
Firstly, your fingers are numbered from 1 to 5, with your thumb being the 1st finger, index finger is the 2nd finger, middle finger is the 3rd finger, ring finger is 4th finger, and pinky finger is 5th finger.
In root position, F# is played with finger 1, A# with finger 3 and C# with finger 5. For the 1st inversion, A# is played with finger 1, C# with finger 2 and F# with finger 5. For the 2nd inversion of this chord, C# is played with finger 1, F# with finger 3 and A# wih finger 5.
Video: How to Play the F Sharp Major Chord on Piano
Here’s a video showing how to play the F sharp major chord on keyboard and piano.
Chords In The Key Of F Sharp Major
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