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G minor major 9th chord on guitar (GmMaj9)
Also called or written GmMaj9, Gminmaj9, GmM9, Gmin(maj9) or Gm(maj9)
G minor major 9th contains G, B♭, D, F♯ and A. The open voicing uses open strings and a pinky stretch to fret 3 on the B string.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7, 9
- Root positionG–B♭–D–F♯–AGmMaj93-0-0-3-3-2
- First inversionB♭–D–F♯–A–GGmMaj9/B♭6-5-5-7-7-5
- Second inversionD–F♯–A–G–B♭GmMaj9/Dno shape on this instrument
- Third inversionF♯–A–G–B♭–DGmMaj9/F♯2-0-0-3-3-3
- Fourth inversionA–G–B♭–D–F♯GmMaj9/A5-5-4-3-3-3
How do you play a G minor major 9th chord on guitar?
G minor major 9th is played in open position as 3 0 0 3 3 2: 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 2. 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) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (7) |
AdvancedThe pinky must fret the B string at fret 3 cleanly while the high E string is fretted at fret 2 and the A and D strings ring open.
3rd fret
G minor major 9th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 5 4 3 3 5: barre your index finger across fret 3, ring finger on the A string at fret 5, middle finger on the D string at fret 4 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) | 4 | 2 | F♯ (7) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 5 | 4 | A (2) |
Gminmaj9/B♭ inversion
G minor major 9th is played at the 5th fret as 6 5 5 7 7 5: barre your index finger across fret 5, middle finger on the low E string at fret 6, ring finger on the G string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 7.
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 | 3 | D (5) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 4 | F♯ (7) |
| 1 (e) | 5 | 1 (barre) | A (2) |
Gminmaj9/F♯ inversion
G minor major 9th is played in open position as 2 0 0 3 3 3: index finger on the low E string at fret 2, 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) | 2 | 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) |
Gminmaj9/A inversion
G minor major 9th is played at the 3rd fret as 5 5 4 3 3 3: barre your index finger across fret 3, ring finger on the low E string at fret 5, pinky finger on the A string at fret 5 and middle finger on the D string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5 | 3 | A (2) |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 4 | D (5) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 2 | F♯ (7) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
Why it sounds like that
G minor major 9th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7, 9. The major 7th F♯ against the minor 3rd B♭ creates the chord's characteristic tension. Compare it to G minor major 7th, which omits the 9th A.
What goes wrong with G minor major 9th?
- Let the pinky touch the high E string, deadening the note at fret 2.
- Allow the ring finger to flatten onto the B string, causing a buzz at fret 3.
- Let the middle finger mute the A string, losing the open A.
When to use it
Use G minor major 9th in place of G minor for a more complex color. It suits jazz ballads and neo-soul progressions.
Changing to and from G minor major 9th
- Move to G minor major 7th by lifting the pinky off the B string and letting it ring open.
- Slide the 3rd-fret barre voicing down one fret to the 2nd fret for F♯ minor major 9th.
Which voicing to use
The open voicing puts the root G in the bass via the low E string. The G minor major 9th/B♭ inversion at the 5th fret places B♭ in the bass, softening the chord's bite. Choose the A inversion when you want the 9th in the bass for a floating, unresolved feel.
Other G chords
Common questions
How is G minor major 9th written?
G minor major 9th is written GmM9, min(maj9), m(maj9), or Gminmaj9.
What is the difference between G minor major 9th and G minor add 9?
G minor add 9 contains G, B♭, D and A, omitting the major 7th F♯. G minor major 9th includes both the major 7th and the 9th, creating a denser, more dissonant sound.
Can G minor major 9th be used in a minor key?
G minor major 9th is the tonic chord in G harmonic minor and G melodic minor. It is not diatonic to G natural minor, which has a minor 7th F instead of F♯.