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B minor major 9th chord on guitar (BmMaj9)
Also called or written BmMaj9, Bminmaj9, BmM9, Bmin(maj9) or Bm(maj9)
B minor major 9th contains B, D, F♯, A♯ and C♯. The open voicing mutes the low E string and uses a pinky stretch to fret 3 on the G string.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7, 9
- Root positionB–D–F♯–A♯–C♯BmMaj9×-2-0-3-2-2
- First inversionD–F♯–A♯–C♯–BBmMaj9/D10-9-9-11-11-9
- Second inversionF♯–A♯–C♯–B–DBmMaj9/F♯2-2-0-3-2-×
- Third inversionA♯–C♯–B–D–F♯BmMaj9/A♯no shape on this instrument
- Fourth inversionC♯–B–D–F♯–A♯BmMaj9/C♯9-9-8-7-7-7
How do you play a B minor major 9th chord on guitar?
B minor major 9th is played in open position as × 2 0 3 2 2: index finger on the A string at fret 2, pinky finger on the G string at fret 3, middle finger on the B string at fret 2 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 2. The D string rings open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (1) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (♭3) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 4 | A♯ (7) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 2 | C♯ (2) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
AdvancedThe pinky must fret the G string at fret 3 cleanly while the low E string is muted and the D string rings open.
7th fret
B minor major 9th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 8 7 7 9: barre your index finger across fret 7, ring finger on the A string at fret 9, middle finger on the D string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 8 | 2 | A♯ (7) |
| 3 (G) | 7 | 1 (barre) | D (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 9 | 4 | C♯ (2) |
Bminmaj9/D inversion
B minor major 9th is played at the 9th fret as 10 9 9 11 11 9: barre your index finger across fret 9, middle finger on the low E string at fret 10, ring finger on the G string at fret 11 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 11.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10 | 2 | D (♭3) |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 9 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
| 3 (G) | 11 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | 11 | 4 | A♯ (7) |
| 1 (e) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (2) |
Bminmaj9/F♯ inversion
B minor major 9th is played in open position as 2 2 0 3 2 ×: index finger on the low E string at fret 2, middle finger on the A string at fret 2, pinky finger on the G string at fret 3 and ring finger on the B string at fret 2. The D string rings open. The high e string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (5) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (1) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (♭3) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 4 | A♯ (7) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 3 | C♯ (2) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
Bminmaj9/C♯ inversion
B minor major 9th is played at the 7th fret as 9 9 8 7 7 7: barre your index finger across fret 7, ring finger on the low E string at fret 9, pinky finger on the A string at fret 9 and middle finger on the D string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9 | 3 | C♯ (2) |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 8 | 2 | A♯ (7) |
| 3 (G) | 7 | 1 (barre) | D (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (1) |
Why it sounds like that
B minor major 9th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7, 9. The major 7th A♯ against the minor 3rd D creates the chord's characteristic tension. Compare it to B minor major 7th, which omits the 9th C♯.
What goes wrong with B minor major 9th?
- Let the low E string sound, adding an E that is not in the chord.
- Allow the pinky to touch the D string, deadening the open D.
- Let the ring finger flatten onto the high E string, causing a buzz at fret 2.
When to use it
Use B minor major 9th in place of B minor for a more complex color. It suits jazz ballads and neo-soul progressions.
Changing to and from B minor major 9th
- Move to B minor major 7th by lifting the pinky off the G string and letting it ring open.
- Slide the 7th-fret barre voicing down two frets to the 5th fret for A minor major 9th.
Which voicing to use
The open voicing puts the root B in the bass via the A string. The B minor major 9th/D inversion at the 9th fret places D in the bass, softening the chord's bite. Choose the C♯ inversion when you want the 9th in the bass for a floating, unresolved feel.
Other B chords
Common questions
How is B minor major 9th written?
B minor major 9th is written BmM9, min(maj9), m(maj9), or Bminmaj9.
What is the difference between B minor major 9th and B minor add 9?
B minor add 9 contains B, D, F♯ and C♯, omitting the major 7th A♯. B minor major 9th includes both the major 7th and the 9th, creating a denser, more dissonant sound.
Can B minor major 9th be used in a minor key?
B minor major 9th is the tonic chord in B harmonic minor and B melodic minor. It is not diatonic to B natural minor, which has a minor 7th A instead of A♯.