Learning to play F#m (F sharp minor chord)

In this lesson, I'll teach you how to play the F#m chord (F sharp minor). This is usually one of the very first barre chords you'll run into while learning how to play ye olde guitar - the others being F-major and B-minor. Unlike those two chords, you're only using 3 of your left hand fingers for the F#m - which makes it more approachable for beginners, I would argue. I'll teach you how to play it, show a simplified version, and give a through practice exercises you can use to get fully comfortable with this chord. Let's do it!

🎸 Browse all my lessons

📝 View all my PDFs & song sheets

🎟️ Unlock all my courses & premium content

[arykyellowicecream]

I'm literally crying, it's so hard

[mee-ttmp]

after 1 year of playing guitar f#m is still chllanging

[scsg]

I am surprised there are not more comments. This is a good video. I am trying to play You’ve got a friend by James Taylor. I am stuck on the f#m and I have been stuck for 5 months... can you believe it? 5 months I have to work so I can only practice for about 30 minutes every night, but still it’s a long time. How to sit, legs left or right, guitar close or far, neck up or down, elbow in or out, fingers vertical or angle, foot elevated or not, I even worry where my boobs are... whatever I do, I just cannot play this chord and it’s making me miserable. I was going to jump off my balcony but I live on the first floor.. now I don’t know what to do. I will try to practice more... 💩 crap..

[joetroutt]

Also get your barring finger as close the fret as possible without muting the strings to help them ring out better.

[barrytatti]

Thanks for your lessons. They have helped improve my guitar playing so much! 👍

[Furiac.]

That middle finger trick is genius! Thank you so much

[tandbergj]

I hate to nitpick @song notes, but at 4:09, he describes the 4 string version of the chord, as "the first inversion." This voicing of F#sharp minor is not an inversion, in fact, it is just a smaller trimmed down version of F#m. The lowest note of this 4 string version, still has the F# note as the lowest tone in the chord, meaning it's not an inversion. An inversion is where the chord doesn't have it's lowest note in the voicing, as the chord's root note. In this case, it's not an inversion, because 4th fret, on the D string, is still an F#, albeit one octave higher than the F# on the 6 string version of the chord. I DON'T KNOW, why I bothered to comment on this, but I hope it helps someone realize what inversions are.

[drunkviggo]

My bar is absolutely useless for the 3rd string. I need to be able to do this chord for "Suzanne" by Leonard Cohen.

[arrowspellets]

Thanks for the lesson, some days i can barr all 6 strings other days i have trouble with it.
I like the idea for turning the finger, and i'm trying it now... a little more practice i should have it the *G* string is not ringing out but i can feel where it's hitting my finger.

[godislove]

I tried and tried to get the right sound until you say use the bonny part… that’s perfect now I’m hearing good sound

[daynaholgate]

I was playing it right just from the chord paper I came to check to see if I was correct

[jimhorst]

David, can you do a lesson on Travis Picking or other type finger picking styles? Thanks for posting at these lessons they really help with my improving my playing.

[maxbespalov]

Amazing, can you teach us please how to pick open E string please? XD

[blackshadow]

I always try practicing with this minor barre chord.. But the problem is... The third sring which is the B string always mute even I firmly press my index finger to barre the fret... Do you have any suggestions to solve it?

[choochoochooseyou]

Really newbie question, sorry, but I know there's an F sharp and an F flat so what is an F sharp minor? Kinda sounds like a mixture of the other two.

[Copperhead]

Really enjoying your teaching style and lesson breakdown. Thank you for this. Have you ever heard the song "Kate McCannon" by Colter Wall? Would love to see you teach that one. Anyhow, glad I found you! Thanks again!

[carlawilliams]

Can’t you bar the first fret and then play just the third fret fingers to make this F minor seventh?

[honkytonk]

You’re awesome video was very helpful Thank you for sharing your awesome video I will subscribe

[Furiac.]

i can generally get barre chords but switching to them quickly, still cant get it down

[mistergrendel]

Another great lesson as always David Potts. Let’s Go Brandon!
😜🤓