Abmaj9 Guitar Chord

How to play Abmaj9, step by step

1. Index finger: press flat across the low E to B strings at fret 4
2. Middle finger: lay across the D and G strings at fret 5
3. Ring finger: 6th fret, A string
4. Pinky finger: 6th fret, high E string
5. Strum all six strings.

Nothing in this grip is specific to A flat. Slide it down two frets for F#maj9 or up one for Amaj9 and the fingers keep their places.

If the barre fights back

Notes under the index drop

The index holds five strings at the 4th fret. Roll it onto its outer edge so the bone takes the pressure instead of the soft pad.

The middle finger mutes one of its two strings

It lays across the D and G strings at the 5th fret. Keep the last joint flat so both strings sit under the same firm surface.

The chord sounds thick

Five notes across six strings is a lot of sound this low on the neck. Strum lightly, or start the strum on the A string and let the top of the chord speak.

What makes it an Abmaj9

A♭ · C · E♭ · G · B♭ | 1 3 5 7 9

Abmaj9 is an Abmaj7 chord with a ninth added: A flat, C, E flat and G make the seventh chord, and the B flat on top makes it a ninth.

It is the I chord of A flat major at its softest and the landing chord of a ii V I in A flat. A flat is a piano and horn key, so on guitar this chord mostly turns up in soul, gospel and jazz charts, where the barre grip is simply the price of the key.

Abmaj9 vs Abmaj7

Abmaj9 is Abmaj7 with a B flat added. Abmaj7 already sounds settled; the ninth widens it and makes it sound arranged rather than strummed.

Both chords live in the same part of the neck for this root, so the ninth costs a slightly bigger grip but not a new position. Where a chart writes Abmaj7 and the bar is long, the ninth is usually welcome.