How to play Amaj9: a major 9th built on A, with 2 ways to play it, the notes, the keys it belongs to, and songs that use it.
The first diagram is a common voicing: an open-position shape using 1 open string, played near the nut. An X above a string means don't play it; an O means play it open.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x 0 2 4 2 4 (x = not played).
| Note | A | C# | E | G# | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | R | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
Amaj9 is a major 9th with A as its root. The full theoretical spelling is A, C#, E, G#, B. This voicing sounds every chord tone.
Amaj9 is a diatonic chord (built from the key's own notes) in 2 major keys and 2 minor keys. The roman numeral is the chord's place in that key; tap a key for all of its chords.
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Amaj9 is spelled A, C#, E, G#, B: the root, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th. The common guitar voicing sounds every one of them.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x 0 2 4 2 4 (x means the string is not played). Lay your index finger across the 2nd fret from the D string to the B string (a barre). Add the G and high E strings at the 4th fret. The A string rings open. Strum from the A string down; the low E string stays silent.
Amaj9 belongs to 4 keys: A major (the I chord), E major (the IV chord), C# minor (the VI) and F# minor (the III).
