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A9 Guitar Chord

A dominant ninth (A9) is made of the notes A C♯ E G B. Here are 3 ways to play it on guitar, starting with the easiest.

How to play A9 on guitar

  1. Shape 1

    Barre at fret 2

    2fr 1 4 2 A B E A C♯ G

    522223

  2. Shape 2

    Barre at fret 5

    5fr 1 3 2 4 A E G C♯ E B

    575657

  3. Shape 3

    From fret 11

    11fr 3 2 1 A C♯ G B E

    x-12-11-12-12-12

Notes in A9

Formula 1 3 5 ♭7 9
DegreeNote
1A
3C♯
5E
♭7G
9B

Shape 1 step by step

  1. Lay your index finger flat across strings 5 to 2 at fret 2.
  2. Put your little finger on string 6 at fret 5.
  3. Put your middle finger on string 1 at fret 3.
  4. Strum from string 6 to string 1.

Shape 2 step by step

  1. Lay your index finger flat across strings 6 to 2 at fret 5.
  2. Put your ring finger on string 5 at fret 7.
  3. Put your middle finger on string 3 at fret 6.
  4. Put your little finger on string 1 at fret 7.
  5. Strum from string 6 to string 1.

Tune your guitar first

A chord only sounds right when your instrument is in tune. Check your strings with the free online tuner before you practise. Open the guitar tuner

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A9 chord?

A dominant ninth has the notes A C♯ E G B. Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7 9. The numbers are steps of the major scale, counted from the root.

What is the easiest way to play A9 on guitar?

Start with shape 1 (barre at fret 2), written as 522223 from string 6 to string 1. Here x means you don’t play that string and 0 means it rings open.

Dominant 9th chords in every key

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