A minor major 9th chord on guitar (AmMaj9)

Why it sounds like that

A minor major 9th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7, 9. The major 7th G♯ against the minor 3rd C gives this chord its tense, unresolved quality. Compare it to A minor major 7th, which omits the 9th B.

What goes wrong with A minor major 9th?

• Let the high E string buzz under the pinky at fret 7.
• Allow the middle finger to touch the G string, deadening the barre note at fret 5.
• Lift the index barre off the low E string, losing the root A.

When to use it

Use A minor major 9th in place of A minor when you want a darker, more sophisticated sound. It suits jazz ballads and neo-soul progressions.

Changing to and from A minor major 9th

• Sliding the shape down two frets to the 3rd fret gives G minor major 9th.
• Move to A minor major 7th by lifting the pinky off the high E string and letting the B string ring at fret 5.

Which voicing to use

The 5th-fret voicing puts the root A in the bass for a grounded sound. The A minor major 9th/C inversion at the 7th fret places C in the bass, softening the chord's bite. Choose the B inversion when you want the 9th in the bass for a floating, unresolved feel.