G#maj9 / Abmaj9 Guitar Chord

G#maj9 (also written Abmaj9) is a major ninth chord. It adds a major ninth to a major seventh chord for a lush, open sound. Its notes are Ab, C, Eb, G and Bb. Below is one way to play it, with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.

Notes in G#maj9 / Abmaj9

G#maj9 and Abmaj9 are two names for the same chord. The notes below are spelled as Abmaj9.

NoteDegreeInterval
AbRRoot
C3Major 3rd
Eb5Perfect 5th
G7Major 7th
Bb9Major 9th

Formula: 1–3–5–7–9

G#maj9 / Abmaj9 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 10fr

    Easiest
    10fr✕2143✕
    Tab (6th → 1st string)
    x 11 10 12 11 x
    Fingers
    – 2 1 4 3 –

How to play G#maj9 / Abmaj9 (easiest shape)

Shape: Maj9 shape 10fr, tab x 11 10 12 11 x (6th to 1st string).

10fr✕2143✕
  1. 1Put your index finger (1) on the 4th string at the 10th fret.
  2. 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 5th string at the 11th fret.
  3. 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 2nd string at the 11th fret.
  4. 4Put your pinky (4) on the 3rd string at the 12th 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.

G#maj9 / Abmaj9: common questions

What notes are in the G#maj9 / Abmaj9 chord?
G#maj9 and Abmaj9 are two names for the same chord. Spelled as Abmaj9, it has 5 notes: Ab, C, Eb, G and Bb. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–7–9.
Is there an easier way to play G#maj9 / Abmaj9?
The easiest shape on this page is "Maj9 shape 10fr" (x 11 10 12 11 x). It needs no barre: each finger presses just one string.

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