Guitar arpeggio

F# Minor 9 Guitar Arpeggio

F# Minor 9 is a five-note arpeggio built from F#, A, C#, E, and G#. It is also commonly called F# Minor Ninth and F#m9. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.

Chord tones
F#, A, C#, E, G#
Formula
1 b3 5 b7 9
Semitones
0 3 7 10 14
Chord symbols
F#m9, F#min9
Also called
F# Minor NinthF#m9

How to read this arpeggio

The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent F# root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.

Use the interactive fretboard to locate the F# root notes and connect the remaining minor 9 chord tones across standard tuning.

This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called F# Minor Ninth or F#m9.

Chord construction and defining tones

b3A
b7E
9G#

F# minor 9 is defined by b3 (A), b7 (E), and 9 (G#). It extends a minor seventh chord with the natural ninth.

Harmonic use

Use this arpeggio over F#m9 and minor harmony where both the flat seventh and natural ninth are present.

Practice this arpeggio on guitar

  1. Play the F# Minor 9 arpeggio from one F# root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
  2. Practice b3 (A), b7 (E), and 9 (G#) without the root first, then add the nearest root to hear the full chord identity.
  3. Create a line over F#m9 that moves from the ninth through the flat seventh and resolves to the minor third.

Fretboard diagram

F# Minor 9 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning
F# Minor 9 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning.

Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool

Start with F# Minor 9 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Arpeggio diagrams by tuning