Chord chart for FM9 Guitar Chord (F major 9): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

F major 9 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 114 playable shapes

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F major 9 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

F major 9 guitar chord

FM9 is the F major 9 guitar chord. It uses the notes F, A, C, E, and G and the interval formula 1-3-5-7-9.

The F major 9 major 9 chord adds a major ninth G 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 Fmaj9.

Root note: F
Quality: major 9
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 114

Chord tones

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Common guitar voicings

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

Shape 102010

102010

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

Shape 102011

102011

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 6th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  4. 4 Let the fifth and third strings ring open.
  5. 5 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.

F Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

A Major Third 3

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

C Perfect Fifth 5

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

E Major Seventh 7

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

G 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.

F major 9 shape 102010

How to play this shape

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

F major 9 shape 102011

How to play this shape

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

F major 9 shape 103010

How to play this shape

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

F major 9 shape 102013

How to play this shape

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

F major 9 shape 132213

How to play this shape

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

F major 9 shape xx3055

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Let the third 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

F major 9 shape x87060

How to play this shape

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

F major 9 shape x87080

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

Quick answers

What notes are in FM9?

FM9 uses the notes F, A, C, E, and G. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-7-9.

What is another name for FM9?

FM9 is also written as Fmaj9.

How do you play FM9 on guitar?

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

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