Chord chart for G♯ major add 9 / B♯ (1st inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

G♯maj(add9)/B♯ guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 32 playable shapes

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G♯ major add 9 / B♯ (1st inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

G♯ major add 9 / B♯ (1st inversion)

G♯maj(add9)/B♯ is the G♯ major add 9 / B♯ (1st inversion) guitar chord with B♯ 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 B♯ in the bass, this voicing functions as the 1st inversion of G♯ major add 9.

Also written as G♯maj(add9), G♯add9/B♯, and G♯Madd9/B♯.

Root note: G♯
Bass note: B♯
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 32

Chord tones

G♯B♯D♯A♯

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape x31314

x31314

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

Shape x31344

x31344

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position.
  5. 5 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.

G♯maj(add9)/B♯ shape x31314

How to play this shape

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

G♯maj(add9)/B♯ shape x31344

How to play this shape

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

G♯maj(add9)/B♯ shape x36344

How to play this shape

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

G♯maj(add9)/B♯ shape x36346

How to play this shape

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

G♯maj(add9)/B♯ shape 866896

How to play this shape

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

G♯maj(add9)/B♯ shape 868896

How to play this shape

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

G♯maj(add9)/B♯ shape 8b8898

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 9th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 11th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

G♯maj(add9)/B♯ shape 8b88b8

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 11th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 11th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in G♯maj(add9)/B♯?

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

What is another name for G♯maj(add9)/B♯?

G♯maj(add9)/B♯ is also written as G♯maj(add9), G♯add9/B♯, and G♯Madd9/B♯.

How do you play G♯maj(add9)/B♯ on guitar?

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

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