Explore chords · Guitar
A♭ major 9th chord on guitar (A♭maj9)
Also called or written A♭maj9 or A♭
A♭ major 9th contains A♭, C, E♭, G, and B♭. The 3rd fret shape is a full barre with a pinky stretch to fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
- Root positionA♭–C–E♭–G–B♭A♭maj94-3-5-3-4-3
- First inversionC–E♭–G–B♭–A♭A♭maj9/C×-3-5-3-4-4
- Second inversionE♭–G–B♭–A♭–CA♭maj9/E♭no shape on this instrument
- Third inversionG–B♭–A♭–C–E♭A♭maj9/G3-1-1-1-1-3
- Fourth inversionB♭–A♭–C–E♭–GA♭maj9/B♭×-1-1-1-1-3
How do you play an A♭ major 9th chord on guitar?
A♭ major 9th is played at the 3rd fret as 4 3 5 3 4 3: barre your index finger across fret 3, middle finger on the low E string at fret 4, pinky finger on the D string at fret 5 and ring finger on the B string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4 | 2 | A♭ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 1 (barre) | C (3) |
| 4 (D) | 5 | 4 | G (7) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 4 | 3 | E♭ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (7) |
AdvancedThe full barre at the 3rd fret must hold the A string and high e cleanly while the pinky reaches fret 5.
A♭maj9/C inversion · fret 3
A♭ major 9th is played at the 3rd fret as × 3 5 3 4 4: barre your index finger across fret 3, pinky finger on the D string at fret 5, middle finger on the B string at fret 4 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 4. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 1 (barre) | C (3) |
| 4 (D) | 5 | 4 | G (7) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 4 | 2 | E♭ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 4 | 3 | A♭ (1) |
A♭maj9/C inversion · fret 6
A♭ major 9th is played at the 6th fret as 8 6 6 8 8 6: barre your index finger across fret 6, middle finger on the low E string at fret 8, ring finger on the G string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8 | 2 | C (3) |
| 5 (A) | 6 | 1 (barre) | E♭ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 6 | 1 (barre) | A♭ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 8 | 3 | E♭ (5) |
| 2 (B) | 8 | 4 | G (7) |
| 1 (e) | 6 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (2) |
A♭maj9/C inversion · fret 8
A♭ major 9th is played at the 8th fret as 8 10 8 8 9 8: barre your index finger across fret 8, pinky finger on the A string at fret 10 and ring finger on the B string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8 | 1 (barre) | C (3) |
| 5 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (7) |
| 4 (D) | 8 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (2) |
| 3 (G) | 8 | 1 (barre) | E♭ (5) |
| 2 (B) | 9 | 3 | A♭ (1) |
| 1 (e) | 8 | 1 (barre) | C (3) |
A♭maj9/G inversion
A♭ major 9th is played at the 1st fret as 3 1 1 1 1 3: barre your index finger across fret 1, ring finger on the low E string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (7) |
| 5 (A) | 1 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (2) |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 (barre) | E♭ (5) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | A♭ (1) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 1 (barre) | C (3) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 4 | G (7) |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ major 9th is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. The major seventh interval gives it its characteristic lush sound. Compared with A♭ major 7th, the added ninth creates a more open, colorful voicing.
What goes wrong with A♭ major 9th?
- The 3rd string buzzes because the index barre is not pressing hard enough.
- The pinky on the 4th string accidentally mutes the 3rd string.
- The high e string is deadened by the barre sliding out of place.
When to use it
A♭ major 9th works as the tonic in A♭ major, such as in the I–IV–V–I progression A♭–D♭–E♭–A♭. It also fits the I–V–vi–IV progression A♭–E♭–F minor–D♭. Use it in jazz, soul, and R&B for a smooth, extended harmony.
Changing to and from A♭ major 9th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 1st fret gives F♯ major 9th.
- From A♭ major, lift the pinky and add the barre to reach A♭ major 9th.
Which voicing to use
The 3rd fret shape has A♭ in the bass and is the most balanced voicing. The A♭maj9/C inversion at the 3rd fret puts C in the bass, giving a lighter, more suspended feel. For a higher register, use the 15th fret shape.
Other A♭ chords
Common questions
How is A♭ major 9th written?
A♭ major 9th is written as A♭ or A♭maj9. The ASCII root spelling is Ab. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between A♭ major 9th and A♭ add 9?
A♭ major 9th includes the major seventh (G), while A♭ add 9 does not. The add 9 chord is simply an A♭ major triad with the ninth added.
Can I play A♭ major 9th without the barre?
The 3rd fret shape requires a barre, but you can play the A♭maj9/C inversion at the 3rd fret, which uses a partial barre. It omits the low E string.