Chord chart for BM9 Guitar Chord (B major 9): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

B major 9 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 17 playable shapes

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B major 9 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

B major 9 guitar chord

BM9 is the B major 9 guitar chord. It uses the notes B, D♯, F♯, A♯, and C♯ and the interval formula 1-3-5-7-9.

The B major 9 major 9 chord adds a major ninth C♯ 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 Bmaj9.

Root note: B
Quality: major 9
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 17

Chord tones

BD♯F♯A♯C♯

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape 798879

798879

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string and 6th string in barre position.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 5th string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string.
  5. 5 Strum from the 6th string down.

Shape 798809

798809

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 5th string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string.
  5. 5 Let the second string 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.

B Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

D♯ Major Third 3

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

F♯ Perfect Fifth 5

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

A♯ Major Seventh 7

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

C♯ 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.

B major 9 shape 798879

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B major 9 shape 798809

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the second string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B major 9 shape 744446

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B major 9 shape 744646

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B major 9 shape 769676

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 1st string, 3rd string, and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B major 9 shape 768609

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the second string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B major 9 shape 768809

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the second string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B major 9 shape xx98b9

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 11th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  6. 6 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in BM9?

BM9 uses the notes B, D♯, F♯, A♯, and C♯. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-7-9.

What is another name for BM9?

BM9 is also written as Bmaj9.

How do you play BM9 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string and 6th string in barre position. Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position. Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 5th string. Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string. Strum from the 6th string down.

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