G#9 / Ab9 Guitar Chord
G#9 (also written Ab9) is a dominant ninth chord. It stacks a major ninth on top of a dominant seventh chord and is a staple of funk and blues. Its notes are Ab, C, Eb, Gb and Bb. Below is one way to play it, with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in G#9 / Ab9
G#9 and Ab9 are two names for the same chord. The notes below are spelled as Ab9.
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Ab | R | Root |
| C | 3 | Major 3rd |
| Eb | 5 | Perfect 5th |
| Gb | b7 | Minor 7th |
| Bb | 9 | Major 9th |
Formula: 1–3–5–b7–9
G#9 / Ab9 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.
E-shape 4fr
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 4 6 4 5 4 6
- Fingers
- 1 3 1 2 1 4
How to play G#9 / Ab9 (easiest shape)
Shape: E-shape 4fr, tab 4 6 4 5 4 6 (6th to 1st string).
- 1Lay your index finger (1) flat across the 6th to 2nd strings at the 4th fret (a barre).
- 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 3rd string at the 5th fret.
- 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 5th string at the 6th fret.
- 4Put your pinky (4) on the 1st string at the 6th fret.
- 5Strum down from the 6th string to the 1st string.
G#9 / Ab9: common questions
- What notes are in the G#9 / Ab9 chord?
- G#9 and Ab9 are two names for the same chord. Spelled as Ab9, it has 5 notes: Ab, C, Eb, Gb and Bb. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–b7–9.
- Is there an easier way to play G#9 / Ab9?
- The easiest shape on this page is "E-shape 4fr" (4 6 4 5 4 6). Every shape on this page is a barre chord. Barre shapes are movable: keep the same hand shape and slide it along the neck to play this type of chord from other roots.
Related chords
Other G#/Ab chords
More guitar tools
See all 231 chords in the chord library, find a scale to play over them, or tune up before you start.