Variation 3 of 6
How to play G♯ dominant 7th flat 9th chord on guitar
Shape 401212
How to play this shape
- 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string and 4th string in barre position
- 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
- 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string
- 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 6th string
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "401212" mean?
The sequence 401212 is a highly compact guitar chord notation. It represents the fret played on each of the 6 strings, reading left-to-right from the thickest (lowest pitch) string to the thinnest (highest pitch) string: E, A, D, G, B, e.
- x means the string is muted or skipped entirely.
- 0 means the string is played "open" (without pressing over a fret).
- 1-9 represent standard fret numbers 1 to 9.
- a, b, c... represent frets 10, 11, 12, and higher (where a=10, b=11, c=12).
Can I play this G♯ dominant 7th flat 9th shape anywhere else?
Yes! This specific layout is just one way to voice a G♯ dominant 7th flat 9th chord. You can find all other variations in our chord shape library for G♯ dominant 7th flat 9th. Most guitarists choose different shapes based on whether they want a "brighter" or "deeper" sound, or which chord they are transitioning from.
How do I stop my fingers from buzzing?
Since this shape uses open strings (marked with '0'), make sure your fingers are arched like a "claw" so they don't accidentally brush against the open strings. Press down firmly just behind the metal fret wires for the clearest sound.
Other shapes
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