Chord chart for AM9 Guitar Chord (A major 9): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

A major 9 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 67 playable shapes

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A major 9 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

A major 9 guitar chord

AM9 is the A major 9 guitar chord. It uses the notes A, C♯, E, G♯, and B and the interval formula 1-3-5-7-9.

The A major 9 major 9 chord adds a major ninth B to the major 7th, creating an expansive, ethereal sound. Its rich harmonic structure enhances the major tonality with a modern, sophisticated vibe, ideal for jazz, ambient, and cinematic music.

Also written as Amaj9.

Root note: A
Quality: major 9
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 67

Chord tones

AC♯EG♯B

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape x02424

x02424

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string.
  5. 5 Let the fifth string ring open.
  6. 6 Strum from the 5th string down.

Shape x06604

x06604

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string.
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string.
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string.
  4. 4 Let the fifth and second strings ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 5th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

A Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

C♯ Major Third 3

This note defines the chord's major quality and brings brightness to the sound.

E Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

G♯ Major Seventh 7

The major seventh adds a smooth, lush tension close to the root.

B Major Ninth 9

The ninth opens the chord up and adds a modern, spacious color.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

A major 9 shape x02424

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the fifth string ring open
  6. 6 Do not play the sixth string
  7. 7 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A major 9 shape x06604

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the fifth and second strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A major 9 shape 506604

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  5. 5 Let the fifth and second strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A major 9 shape x06605

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the fifth and second strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A major 9 shape 546400

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  5. 5 Let the second and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A major 9 shape 546600

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  5. 5 Let the second and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

A major 9 shape x06600

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Let the fifth, second, and first strings ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth string
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

A major 9 shape 506600

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the fifth, second, and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in AM9?

AM9 uses the notes A, C♯, E, G♯, and B. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-7-9.

What is another name for AM9?

AM9 is also written as Amaj9.

How do you play AM9 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string. Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string. Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string. Let the fifth string ring open. Strum from the 5th string down.

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