Bmaj9 Guitar Chord

Bmaj9 is the B major ninth chord. It has five notes: B, D sharp, F sharp, A sharp and C sharp. The main shape sits at the 2nd fret with the root on the A string and a small barre across the top two strings.

Root on the A string at the 2nd fret, with the ring finger laid across the top two strings and the pinky reaching the 3rd fret of the G. All five notes on five strings.

How to play Bmaj9, step by step

Index finger: 1st fret, D string
Middle finger: 2nd fret, A string
Ring finger: press flat across the B to high E strings at fret 2
Pinky finger: 3rd fret, G string
Strum from the A string down, skipping the low E.

The A string names the chord: slide the whole grip up one fret and it becomes Cmaj9, up two for C#maj9. The fingering never changes.

More ways to play Bmaj9

There are 2 common Bmaj9 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.

Bmaj9 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 7, played 798879 — Barre at fret 7

If notes drop out

The small barre catches only one string: The ring finger lays across the B and high E strings at the 2nd fret. Flatten its last joint so both strings press against the same firm surface.
The B string is muted: The pinky reaching the 3rd fret of the G string is leaning over. Arch it and land on the very tip so the barre under it can ring.
The low E rings: It is not part of the chord. Strum from the A string down, or let the tip of the middle finger touch the low E to keep it quiet.

What makes it a Bmaj9

B · D♯ · F♯ · A♯ · C♯ 1 3 5 7 9

Bmaj9 is a Bmaj7 chord with a ninth added: B, D sharp, F sharp and A sharp make the seventh chord, and the C sharp on top makes it a ninth.

It is the I chord of B major at its softest and the resting chord of a ii V I in B. The A sharp a half step under the root and the C sharp a whole step over it are the two notes that give the chord its floating quality.

Bmaj9 vs Bmaj7

Bmaj9 is Bmaj7 with a C sharp added. Bmaj7 already leans back; the ninth stretches it wider and softens the top of the chord.

Both grips keep the root on the A string in the same part of the neck, so hearing what the ninth does costs a new fingering but not a new position.

Bmaj9 chord questions

What is the difference between Bmaj9 and Badd9?

Bmaj9 contains the A sharp, the major seventh. Badd9 has no seventh: it is B major with a C sharp added. The seventh is what makes Bmaj9 sound jazzy rather than bright.

What is the difference between Bmaj9 and B9?

B9 has an A natural, the flat seventh, and pulls toward E. Bmaj9 has an A sharp and stays still. One drives, the other rests.

Is Bmaj9 hard to play?

The main shape has no full barre: four fingers inside three frets, with the ring finger covering two strings. Most players find it easier than it looks.

Do you strum all six strings?

No. The low E is not in the shape; strum from the A string down.

Where is Bmaj9 used?

As the I chord of B major in jazz, soul and bossa nova, and anywhere Bmaj7 is written and a wider sound is wanted.