Chord chart for G major add 9 / A (3rd inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

Gmaj(add9)/A guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 330 playable shapes

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G major add 9 / A (3rd inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

G major add 9 / A (3rd inversion)

Gmaj(add9)/A is the G major add 9 / A (3rd inversion) guitar chord with A in the bass. It uses the notes G, B, D, and A and the interval formula 1-3-5-9.

The G major add 9 major add 9 chord extends the major triad with an added ninth A, creating a bright, expansive harmony. Unlike the major 9 chord, it lacks the major seventh, offering a fresher, more open sound often used in pop, rock, and jazz for uplifting atmospheres. With A in the bass, this voicing functions as the 3rd inversion of G major add 9.

Also written as Gmaj(add9), Gadd9/A, and GMadd9/A.

Root note: G
Bass note: A
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 330

Chord tones

GBDA

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape x00003

x00003

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

Shape x00203

x00203

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string.
  3. 3 Let the fifth, fourth, and second strings ring open.
  4. 4 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.

G Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

B Major Third 3

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

D Perfect Fifth 5

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

A 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.

Gmaj(add9)/A shape x00003

How to play this shape

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

Gmaj(add9)/A shape x00203

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Let the fifth, fourth, 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

Gmaj(add9)/A shape x00403

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Let the fifth, fourth, 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

Gmaj(add9)/A shape x00433

How to play this shape

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

Gmaj(add9)/A shape 500433

How to play this shape

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

Gmaj(add9)/A shape 550433

How to play this shape

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

Gmaj(add9)/A shape x05433

How to play this shape

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

Gmaj(add9)/A shape 505433

How to play this shape

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

Quick answers

What notes are in Gmaj(add9)/A?

Gmaj(add9)/A uses the notes G, B, D, and A. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-9.

What is another name for Gmaj(add9)/A?

Gmaj(add9)/A is also written as Gmaj(add9), Gadd9/A, and GMadd9/A.

How do you play Gmaj(add9)/A on guitar?

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

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