Notes in F♯6
The F♯6 chord contains 4 notes: F♯, B♭, C♯, E♭
Intervals
| Interval | Semitones | Note | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | 0 | F♯ | Root |
| 3 | 4 | B♭ | Major 3rd |
| 5 | 7 | C♯ | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | 9 | E♭ | Major 6th |
About F♯ Major 6th Chords
Major 6th chords add the 6th to a major triad. Popular in jazz standards, swing, and country, they have a bright, slightly retro quality. In jazz, 6th chords often substitute for maj7 when the melody includes the root note.
Compatible Scales & Modes
These scales contain all the notes of F♯6 and can be used for soloing, improvising, and writing melodies over this chord.
EXPLORE MODES
Playing F# sixth on Guitar
The F# sixth chord, spelled F♯, B♭, C♯, E♭, occupies a specific harmonic role that depends on the musical context. In the key of F# major and Gb major enharmonically, this chord can function as a primary harmony or as a passing color depending on where it appears in the progression. Understanding which scale degrees produce F#-rooted chords helps you predict chord progressions and improvise melodies that complement the harmony.
On guitar, F# sixth voicings benefit from second-fret barre positions derived from open E shapes. The physical shape of this chord on the fretboard determines its tonal character — the same notes arranged in different voicings produce noticeably different sounds due to string gauge, fret position, and overtone content. Experiment with playing F# sixth in multiple positions to find the voicing that best fits the register and texture of the music you are working on.
Adding the sixth to F# major creates a warm, vintage-sounding chord. F#6 has a settled, sweet quality that avoids the tension of seventh chords, making it a classic choice for endings and turnarounds in jazz standards and early rock and roll.
When practicing F# sixth, use the compatible scales listed above to improvise melodies and riffs. Start by playing the chord, then explore the scale tones one at a time to hear how each note sounds against the harmony. This ear training exercise connects your theoretical knowledge of F#-rooted chords to practical musicianship skills that improve your playing across all genres and styles.