A Major 9th Guitar Chord (Amaj9)

A Major 9th (Amaj9) is built from A, C#, E, G#, B, which is the 1P - 3M - 5P - 7M - 9M formula measured from the root A. This page shows 38 fingerings with fretboard diagrams.

Major 7th
Notes: A · C# · E · G# · BIntervals: 1P – 3M – 5P – 7M – 9M

Fingerings for Amaj9

Amaj9low E at fret 4, A at fret 3, G at fret 3, high E at fret 3
Amaj9low E at fret 2, D at fret 3, B at fret 2
Amaj9low E at fret 2, A at fret 4, D at fret 3, B at fret 2
Amaj9low E at fret 2, D at fret 3, G at fret 3, B at fret 2
Amaj9low E at fret 2, D at fret 3, B at fret 2, high E at fret 2
Amaj9A at fret 3, D at fret 2, G at fret 2
Amaj9A at fret 3, D at fret 3, G at fret 2
Amaj9low E at fret 2, D at fret 3, B at fret 2, high E at fret 4
Amaj9A at fret 3, D at fret 2, G at fret 2, high E at fret 3
Amaj9A at fret 3, D at fret 3, G at fret 2, high E at fret 3
Amaj9low E at fret 4, A at fret 3, G at fret 3, high E muted
Amaj9low E at fret 4, A at fret 3, B muted, high E at fret 3
Amaj9low E at fret 4, A at fret 3, D muted, high E at fret 3
Amaj9low E at fret 1, A at fret 3, D at fret 2, G muted, B at fret 1, high E at fret 1
Amaj9low E muted, D at fret 2, G at fret 1
Amaj9low E muted, D at fret 2, G at fret 2
Amaj9low E muted, D at fret 2, G at fret 1, B at fret 2
Amaj9low E muted, D at fret 2, G at fret 2, B at fret 2
Amaj9low E muted, A at fret 4, D at fret 3
Amaj9low E muted, A at fret 4, D at fret 3, B at fret 2
Amaj9low E muted, D at fret 3, G at fret 2
Amaj9low E muted, D at fret 3, G at fret 3
Amaj9low E muted, D at fret 3, G at fret 2, B at fret 3
Amaj9low E muted, D at fret 3, G at fret 3, B at fret 3
Amaj9low E at fret 4, A at fret 3, B muted, high E muted
Amaj9low E at fret 2, D at fret 3, B muted, high E muted
Amaj9low E muted, A at fret 2, D at fret 1, G at fret 3, B at fret 2, high E muted
Amaj9low E muted, A at fret 2, D at fret 1, G at fret 3, B at fret 4, high E muted
Amaj9low E muted, A at fret 4, D at fret 3, G muted
Amaj9low E muted, A muted, D at fret 4, G at fret 3, B at fret 2, high E at fret 1
Amaj9low E muted, A muted, D at fret 3, G at fret 2
Amaj9low E muted, A muted, D at fret 3, G at fret 2, B at fret 1, high E at fret 3
Amaj9low E muted, A muted, G at fret 3, B at fret 3
Amaj9low E muted, A muted, D at fret 1, G at fret 3, B at fret 3, high E at fret 3
Amaj9low E muted, A muted, D at fret 1, G at fret 3, B at fret 4, high E at fret 3
Amaj9low E muted, A open, D at fret 2, G at fret 1, B muted, high E muted
Amaj9low E muted, A at fret 1, D at fret 3, G at fret 2, B muted, high E muted
Amaj9low E muted, A muted, D at fret 1, G at fret 3, B at fret 3, high E muted

Notes in Amaj9

  • A1P
  • C#3M
  • E5P
  • G#7M
  • B9M

How to play Amaj9

A Major 9th Guitar Chord (Amaj9) is warm, jazzy and slightly dreamy.

Beginner tip

The major seventh interval is the whole character of the chord; check that the top note rings clearly.

Practice idea

Try it as the ending chord of a progression instead of the plain major triad.

Amaj9 FAQ

What notes are in A Major 9th?
A Major 9th (Amaj9) contains A, C#, E, G#, B. In interval terms that is 1P - 3M - 5P - 7M - 9M above the root A.
How do you play Amaj9 on guitar?
The most common shape here is "Amaj9": low E at fret 4, A at fret 3, G at fret 3, high E at fret 3.
Is Amaj9 hard for beginners?
It sits in the major seventh family. The major seventh interval is the whole character of the chord; check that the top note rings clearly.