Fmaj9 Guitar Chord

Fmaj9 is the F major ninth chord. It has five notes: F, A, C, E and G. The main shape is a barre at the 1st fret with the seventh and ninth stacked above it, which holds all five notes on six strings.

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Index barred at the 1st fret with the root on the low E, the major seventh and the ninth stacked above it. Six strings and four fingers, movable.

How to play Fmaj9, step by step

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

The middle finger covers two strings at the 2nd fret while the index barres the 1st. Set the barre first and add the rest on top of it.

More ways to play Fmaj9

There are 2 common Fmaj9 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.

Barre at fret 8
Fmaj9 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 8, played x87988

Tighter and higher than the six string shape, and easier to keep clean. The notes sit close together, so the chord speaks quickly.

If the barre is uneven

Strings under the barre are dead
The 1st fret is the stiffest place on the neck. Roll the index onto its outer edge, press right behind the fret and expect to work harder here than higher up.
The two strings under the middle finger are uneven
It covers the D and G strings at the 2nd fret. Lay it flat rather than using the tip.
The chord sounds muddy
Five notes across six strings near the nut is a lot of low information. Play the strings one at a time to find the one that is not speaking.

What makes it an Fmaj9

F · A · C · E · G 1 3 5 7 9

Fmaj9 is an Fmaj7 chord with a ninth added: F, A, C and E make Fmaj7, and the G on top makes it a ninth.

It is the I chord of F major and the IV chord of C, so it appears constantly in jazz and soul in those keys. It is also the resting chord of the ii V I that runs Gm9, C9, Fmaj9.

Fmaj9 vs Fmaj7

Fmaj9 is Fmaj7 with a G added. Fmaj7 has an easy four string version that avoids the barre entirely, while Fmaj9 in this shape needs one.

What the barre buys is size: all five notes, a low root, and the ninth ringing on top. In a quiet arrangement that is worth the effort.

Fmaj9 chord questions

What is the difference between Fmaj9 and Fmaj7?

Fmaj9 adds a G, the ninth, to the four notes of Fmaj7. Same function, wider sound.

Is there an Fmaj9 without a barre?

The five string shape further down the page has no full barre; the index takes one string and another finger lies across the top. It sits at the 7th and 8th frets.

What is the difference between Fmaj9 and F9?

F9 has an E flat, the flat seventh, and pulls toward B flat. Fmaj9 has an E natural and rests. F9 is a blues and funk chord, Fmaj9 is a landing chord.

Where is Fmaj9 used?

As the I chord of F major and the IV of C, in jazz, soul and bossa nova. It is also the final chord of a ii V I in F.

Do you strum all six strings?

Yes, in the barre shape. Every string sounds a note of the chord.

Chords to learn next

Other F chords