Chord chart for A9 / E (2nd inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

A9/E guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 161 playable shapes

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A9 / E (2nd inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

A9 / E (2nd inversion)

A9/E is the A9 / E (2nd inversion) guitar chord with E in the bass. It uses the notes A, C♯, E, G, and B and the interval formula 1-3-5-♭7-9.

The A9 dominant 9 chord enriches the dominant 7th by adding a major ninth B, enhancing its tension with a colorful, jazzy flair. This extended harmony adds sophistication, frequently used in jazz, blues, and funk for dynamic progressions. With E in the bass, this voicing functions as the 2nd inversion of A9.

Also written as A9 and Adom9/E.

Root note: A
Bass note: E
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 161

Chord tones

AC♯EGB

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape 022223

022223

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string.
  3. 3 Let the sixth string ring open.
  4. 4 Strum from the 6th string down.

Shape 002423

002423

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 3rd fret of the 1st string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string.
  5. 5 Let the sixth and fifth strings ring open.
  6. 6 Strum from the 6th 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 Minor Seventh ♭7

The minor seventh adds bluesy or jazzy tension that wants to move onward.

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.

A9/E shape 022223

How to play this shape

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

A9/E shape 002423

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

A9/E shape 042203

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

A9/E shape 045005

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

A9/E shape 045455

How to play this shape

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

A9/E shape 005600

How to play this shape

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

A9/E shape 005605

How to play this shape

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

A9/E shape x75605

How to play this shape

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

Quick answers

What notes are in A9/E?

A9/E uses the notes A, C♯, E, G, and B. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-♭7-9.

What is another name for A9/E?

A9/E is also written as A9 and Adom9/E.

How do you play A9/E on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position. Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string. Let the sixth string ring open. Strum from the 6th string down.

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