Amaj9 Guitar Chord

Amaj9 is a major ninth chord. It adds a major ninth to a major seventh chord for a lush, open sound. Its notes are A, C#, E, G# and B. Below is one way to play it, with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.

Notes in Amaj9

NoteDegreeInterval
ARRoot
C#3Major 3rd
E5Perfect 5th
G#7Major 7th
B9Major 9th

Formula: 1–3–5–7–9

Amaj9 chord shapes

Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.

  • Maj9 shape 11fr

    Easiest
    11fr✕2143✕
    Tab (6th → 1st string)
    x 12 11 13 12 x
    Fingers
    – 2 1 4 3 –

How to play Amaj9 (easiest shape)

Shape: Maj9 shape 11fr, tab x 12 11 13 12 x (6th to 1st string).

11fr✕2143✕
  1. 1Put your index finger (1) on the 4th string at the 11th fret.
  2. 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 5th string at the 12th fret.
  3. 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 2nd string at the 12th fret.
  4. 4Put your pinky (4) on the 3rd string at the 13th fret.
  5. 5Don't play the 6th string.
  6. 6Keep the 1st string quiet: stop your strum at the 2nd string, or let a fretting finger touch it lightly.
  7. 7Strum down from the 5th string to the 2nd string.

Amaj9: common questions

What notes are in the Amaj9 chord?
Amaj9 has 5 notes: A, C#, E, G# and B. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–7–9.
Is there an easier way to play Amaj9?
The easiest shape on this page is "Maj9 shape 11fr" (x 12 11 13 12 x). It needs no barre: each finger presses just one string.

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