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A minor 9th chord on guitar (Am9)
Also called or written Am9 or A
A minor 9th contains A, C, E, G and B. The 5th-fret barre demands a wide stretch between the index barre and the pinky on the high E string.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9
- Root positionA–C–E–G–BAm95-7-5-5-5-7
- First inversionC–E–G–B–AAm9/C×-3-2-2-0-3
- Second inversionE–G–B–A–CAm9/E0-3-2-2-0-3
- Third inversionG–B–A–C–EAm9/G3-3-2-2-0-0
- Fourth inversionB–A–C–E–GAm9/B7-7-5-5-5-5
How do you play an A minor 9th chord on guitar?
A minor 9th is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 5 5 5 7: barre your index finger across fret 5, ring finger on the A string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (5) |
| 4 (D) | 5 | 1 (barre) | G (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 5 | 1 (barre) | C (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 4 | B (2) |
AdvancedThe index barre must fret the low E and the B string cleanly while the pinky reaches the 7th fret on the high E.
Am9/C inversion · open position
A minor 9th is played in open position as × 3 2 2 0 3: ring finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the D string at fret 2, middle finger on the G string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The B string rings open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (♭3) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (2) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 4 | G (♭7) |
Am9/C inversion · fret 7
A minor 9th is played at the 7th fret as 8 7 7 9 8 7: barre your index finger across fret 7, middle finger on the low E string at fret 8, pinky finger on the G string at fret 9 and ring 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) | 7 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 4 | E (5) |
| 2 (B) | 8 | 3 | G (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (2) |
Am9/E inversion
A minor 9th is played in open position as 0 3 2 2 0 3: ring finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the D string at fret 2, middle finger on the G string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The low E and B strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (♭3) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (2) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 4 | G (♭7) |
Am9/G inversion
A minor 9th is played in open position as 3 3 2 2 0 0: ring finger on the low E string at fret 3, pinky finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the D string at fret 2 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2. The B and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (♭7) |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 4 | C (♭3) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (2) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (5) |
Why it sounds like that
A minor 9th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9. The added 9th, B, is what separates it from A minor 7th. The ♭7, G, keeps the chord from sounding like a plain minor add 9.
What goes wrong with A minor 9th?
- The B string buzzes because the index barre is not pressing hard enough at the 5th fret.
- The high E string sounds dead when the pinky does not arch high enough over the B string.
When to use it
A minor 9th is the vi chord in C major, appearing in the I–V–vi–IV progression C–G–Am–F. It suits jazz, neo-soul and slow blues where the 9th adds colour over the minor 7th.
Changing to and from A minor 9th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 3rd fret gives G minor 9th.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 6th fret gives B♭ minor 9th.
Which voicing to use
The 5th-fret voicing has A in the bass and is the default grip. The Am9/C inversion, with C in the bass, softens the root and works when the bass player is already holding A.
Other A chords
Common questions
How is A minor 9th written?
A minor 9th is written Am9 or A minor 9th. The symbol Am9 is the most common shorthand.
What is the difference between A minor 9th and A minor 7th?
A minor 9th adds the 9th, B, to the A minor 7th notes A, C, E and G. The 9th creates a more colourful, jazz-oriented sound.
Can I play A minor 9th without the barre?
Yes, the Am9/C inversion at the 3rd fret uses open strings and no barre. It has C in the bass, so it works well when the bass player covers the root.