How to play Amaj9#11: a major 9th sharp 11 built on A, with 1 voicing, the notes, the keys it belongs to, and songs that use it.
The first diagram is one possible voicing: played at the first few frets. 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: 5 2 1 1 2 x (x = not played).
| Note | A | C# | G# | B | D# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | R | 3 | 7 | 9 | #11 |
Amaj9#11 is a major 9th sharp 11 with A as its root. The full theoretical spelling is A, C#, E, G#, B, D#. This voicing omits the 5th, the tone guitarists drop first when fitting a chord onto six strings.
Amaj9#11 is a diatonic chord (built from the key's own notes) in 1 major key and 1 minor key. The roman numeral is the chord's place in that key; tap a key for all of its chords.
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Amaj9#11 is spelled A, C#, E, G#, B, D#: the root, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, sharp 11th. The common guitar voicing sounds A, C#, G#, B, D#, leaving out the 5th.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: 5 2 1 1 2 x (x means the string is not played). Lay your index finger across the 1st fret from the D string to the G string (a barre). Add the A and B strings at the 2nd fret. Add the low E string at the 5th fret. Strum from the low E string down, skipping the high E string.
Amaj9#11 belongs to 2 keys: E major (the IV chord) and C# minor (the VI).
