How to play the Fmaj7#5 chord on guitar

The Fmaj7#5 chord, pronounced "F major seven sharp five", is a captivating and enigmatic guitar chord. Its unique composition, featuring a sharpened fifth note, creates a sense of tension and intrigue. While not as common as its traditional counterparts, the Fmaj7#5 can add a touch of sophistication to jazz, fusion, and experimental music, evoking a complex and slightly unsettling atmosphere.

The most common way to play the Fmaj7#5 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 1st fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Fmaj7#5 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings on the 1st fret, creating a barre chord.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, play all six strings together in a downward motion, ensuring that each string rings out clearly.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Fmaj7#5 chord, try playing an F major chord instead. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 1st (high E) string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th (D) string.

Playing the Fmaj7#5 chord as a barre chord allows for easier transitions and a fuller sound compared to the open chord version.

Here's how to play an Fmaj7#5 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 1st fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum from the 6th (low E) string down to the 1st (high E) string.

The Fmaj7#5 chord adds a dreamy, ethereal quality to progressions, creating a sense of floating and emotional ambiguity. Common chord progressions featuring Fmaj7#5 include:

• I - vi - Fmaj7#5 - I (F - Dm - Fmaj7#5 - F)
• vi - IV - I - Fmaj7#5 (Dm - B♭ - F - Fmaj7#5)
• ii - V - I - Fmaj7#5 (Gm - C - F - Fmaj7#5)
• iii - vi - Fmaj7#5 - V (Am - Dm - Fmaj7#5 - C)
• IV - V - iii - Fmaj7#5 (B♭ - C - Am - Fmaj7#5) Used in "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin

To master the Fmaj7#5 chord, start by playing each note individually, focusing on clean execution. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between Fmaj7#5 and other chords you commonly use, such as C, Am, or G.

Another effective drill is to arpeggiate the chord, playing each note separately in ascending and descending order. This exercise helps develop finger independence and muscle memory. Experiment with different rhythmic patterns and tempos to keep the drill engaging and challenging.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Fmaj7#5 chord.

1. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer (Fmaj7, Dmaj7, F#m7, Bm7)
2. Gravity by John Mayer (G, Am7, Fmaj7, Dm7)
3. I'm Yours by Jason Mraz (G, D, Em, C)
4. Daughters by John Mayer (Fmaj7, G6, Am7, Fmaj7)
5. 3x5 by John Mayer (G, Cadd9, Em7, D)
6. If I Ever Fall in Love Again by Shai (Dmaj7, G, Fmaj7, Em7)
7. Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer (G, Dsus4, Am7, Fmaj7)
8. Who Says by John Mayer (G, Em7, Am7, Dmaj7)
9. Love on the Weekend by John Mayer (Dmaj7, F#m7, Bm7, G)
10. Still Feel Like Your Man by John Mayer (Fmaj7, Em7, Am7, Dmaj7)