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G minor 9th chord on guitar (Gm9)
Also called or written Gm9 or G
G minor 9th contains G, B♭, D, F and A. The open position uses three fretted notes and three open strings, with the root on the low E string.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9
- Root positionG–B♭–D–F–AGm93-0-0-3-3-1
- First inversionB♭–D–F–A–GGm9/B♭6-5-5-7-6-5
- Second inversionD–F–A–G–B♭Gm9/Dno shape on this instrument
- Third inversionF–A–G–B♭–DGm9/F1-0-0-3-3-3
- Fourth inversionA–G–B♭–D–FGm9/A×-0-3-3-3-3
How do you play a G minor 9th chord on guitar?
G minor 9th is played in open position as 3 0 0 3 3 1: middle finger on the low E string at fret 3, ring finger on the G string at fret 3, pinky finger on the B string at fret 3 and index finger on the high e string at fret 1. The A and D strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (2) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 3 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 1 | F (♭7) |
AdvancedThe open position requires the pinky to fret the 2nd string at the 3rd fret while the 1st string is fretted at the 1st fret, which can cause accidental muting.
Open · D on top
G minor 9th is played in open position as 3 0 3 3 3 ×: index finger on the low E string at fret 3, middle finger on the D string at fret 3, ring finger on the G string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 3. The A string rings open. The high e string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (2) |
| 4 (D) | 3 | 2 | F (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 3 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
3rd fret
G minor 9th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 3 3 3 5: barre your index finger across fret 3, ring finger on the A string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (5) |
| 4 (D) | 3 | 1 (barre) | F (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 5 | 4 | A (2) |
Gm9/B♭ inversion
G minor 9th is played at the 5th fret as 6 5 5 7 6 5: barre your index finger across fret 5, middle finger on the low E string at fret 6, pinky finger on the G string at fret 7 and ring finger on the B string at fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6 | 2 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 4 (D) | 5 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
| 3 (G) | 7 | 4 | D (5) |
| 2 (B) | 6 | 3 | F (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 5 | 1 (barre) | A (2) |
Gm9/F inversion
G minor 9th is played in open position as 1 0 0 3 3 3: index finger on the low E string at fret 1, middle finger on the G string at fret 3, ring finger on the B string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The A and D strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (♭7) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (2) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 2 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 3 | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 4 | G (1) |
Why it sounds like that
G minor 9th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9. The minor 3rd between G and B♭ gives the chord its minor quality, while the major 2nd from G to A adds the ninth. Compare it with G minor 7th, which omits the ninth.
What goes wrong with G minor 9th?
- Let the pinky touch the 1st string, muting the fretted F.
- Flatten the ring finger onto the 4th string, muting the open D.
- Strum too hard, causing the open A string to overpower the root.
When to use it
G minor 9th works as the vi chord in B♭ major, as in the progression B♭–F–G minor–E♭, the I–V–vi–IV. Use it in jazz or neo-soul for a smooth, dark color. It also substitutes for G minor when you want the added ninth.
Changing to and from G minor 9th
- From G minor 9th to G minor 7th, lift the pinky and play the 2nd string open; the other fingers stay put.
- Sliding the 3rd-fret barre shape up two frets to the 5th fret gives A minor 9th.
Which voicing to use
The open position keeps G in the bass for a root-position sound. The Gm9/B♭ inversion at the 5th fret puts the minor 3rd in the bass, softening the chord. Choose the Gm9/F inversion at the 1st fret when you want the ♭7 in the bass for a more suspended feel.
Other G chords
Common questions
What is the difference between G minor 9th and G minor add 9?
G minor 9th includes the ♭7 (F), while G minor add 9 omits the ♭7. The add 9 chord has a more open, less jazzy sound.
Can G minor 9th be played as a barre chord?
Yes, the 3rd-fret barre shape is the same voicing moved up. It is easier to slide but requires a full barre.
Why does G minor 9th sound darker than G minor 7th?
The added ninth (A) creates a major 2nd against the root, adding a subtle tension that the minor 7th lacks.