Chord chart for B9 / A (3rd inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

B9/A guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 34 playable shapes

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B9 / A (3rd inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

B9 / A (3rd inversion)

B9/A is the B9 / A (3rd inversion) guitar chord with A in the bass. It uses the notes B, D♯, F♯, A, and C♯ and the interval formula 1-3-5-♭7-9.

The B9 dominant 9 chord enriches the dominant 7th by adding a major ninth C♯, enhancing its tension with a colorful, jazzy flair. This extended harmony adds sophistication, frequently used in jazz, blues, and funk for dynamic progressions. With A in the bass, this voicing functions as the 3rd inversion of B9.

Also written as B9 and Bdom9/A.

Root note: B
Bass note: A
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 34

Chord tones

BD♯F♯AC♯

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape 544445

544445

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

Shape x09879

x09879

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string.
  5. 5 Let the fifth string ring open.
  6. 6 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.

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 Minor Seventh ♭7

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

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.

B9/A shape 544445

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

B9/A shape x09879

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th 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

B9/A shape x07809

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 1st 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

B9/A shape xx7809

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Let the second string ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  6. 6 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

B9/A shape x09809

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 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

B9/A shape x0bb0b

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 11th fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 11th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Let the fifth and second strings ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth string
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

B9/A shape xcbb0b

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 11th fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 11th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 12th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Let the second string ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

B9/A shape x0bbcb

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 11th fret of the 1st string, 3rd string, and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 12th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Let the fifth string ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth string
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in B9/A?

B9/A uses the notes B, D♯, F♯, A, and C♯. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-♭7-9.

What is another name for B9/A?

B9/A is also written as B9 and Bdom9/A.

How do you play B9/A on guitar?

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

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