Amaj9 Guitar Chord

Amaj9 is the A major ninth chord. It has five notes: A, C sharp, E, G sharp and B. The shape on this page is one finger across two strings at the 6th fret, with three open strings supplying the rest.

One finger across the D and G strings at the 6th fret, with the open A, B and high E strings giving the root, ninth and fifth.

How to play Amaj9, step by step

Index finger: press flat across the D to G strings at fret 6
Leave the A and B and high E strings open. Strum from the A string down, skipping the low E.

Keep this finger position and slide it down one fret to get A9, or down to the 5th fret on both strings for Am9. One hand position covers three chords.

More ways to play Amaj9

There are 2 common Amaj9 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Amaj9 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 5, played 576657 — Barre at fret 5

If notes drop out

One of the two fretted strings is dead: One finger covers the D and G strings at the 6th fret. Lay it flat and press with the length of the finger, not the tip.
The chord sounds unfocused: Three open strings and two fretted ones is a wide spread. Pick nearer the middle strings so the G sharp, the note that makes it major, is audible.
The low E rings: It is not in the chord. Strum from the open A string down.

What makes it an Amaj9

A · C♯ · E · G♯ · B 1 3 5 7 9

Amaj9 is an Amaj7 chord with a ninth added: A, C sharp, E and G sharp make Amaj7, and the B on top makes it a ninth. Here the open A gives the root, the open B the ninth and the open high E the fifth.

It is the I chord of A major at its softest and the landing chord of a ii V I in A. Major ninths sound settled but unhurried, which is why bossa nova and soul use them where a plain major would sound blunt.

Amaj9 vs Amaj7

Amaj9 is Amaj7 with a B added. Amaj7 is already gentle; the ninth widens it and makes it sound deliberately arranged.

This shape is also far easier than the usual Amaj7. One finger at the 6th fret against three or four fingers in open position, and the ninth sounds bigger.

Amaj9 chord questions

Is Amaj9 really a one finger chord?

In this shape, yes. One finger covers the D and G strings at the 6th fret and the A, B and high E strings stay open.

What is the difference between Amaj9 and Aadd9?

Amaj9 contains the G sharp, the major seventh. Aadd9 has no seventh: it is A major with a B added. The seventh is what makes Amaj9 sound jazzy rather than bright.

What is the difference between Amaj9 and A9?

A9 has a G natural, the flat seventh, and pulls toward D. Amaj9 has a G sharp and stays put. One drives, the other rests.

How does Amaj9 relate to Am9?

Same hand position, one fret apart. Am9 puts both fingers at the 5th fret; Amaj9 puts both at the 6th. A9 sits between them at the 5th and 6th.

Where is Amaj9 used?

As the I chord of A major in jazz, bossa nova and soul, and anywhere Amaj7 is written and a softer sound is wanted.