: Question about chords within a musical key Why does an F sharp major chord work when playing in A major chord?

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Answering the question as it's asked: A contains A C♯ and E. F♯ contains F♯ A♯ andC♯. That makes one common note - C♯.

So, from an F♯ view, we have the standard F♯ major triad. Over this, there's an E note, making F♯7 (dominant 7). That just leaves the A note, which could be described as the ♯9 in F♯.But actually is Gx.

All this gives us what has become known as the Hendrix chord:F♯7♯9. Also found in the Beatles 'Taxman', the Batman theme (Neil Hefti, I think), and a Glenn Miller number from the '40s, so not that modern.

Be very careful with voicings of the 7♯9 chord. A few do not sound good at all.