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Am9 Chord on Guitar

Am9 is the A minor 9th chord — 5 notes (A, C, E, G, B) built from the formula 1 ♭3 5 ♭7 9. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: A · C · E · G · BFormula: 1 · ♭3 · 5 · ♭7 · 9Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

Am9: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • Am9 – open position×R59♭3♭7open position
  • Am9 – fret 55R5♭7♭359fret 5
  • Am9 – fret 1010×R♭3♭79×fret 10

Am9: Shell voicings (jazz)

  • Am9 – R-3-7R♭3♭7×××R-3-7
  • Am9 – R-3-710×R♭3♭7××R-3-7
  • Am9 – R-7-3R×♭7♭3××R-7-3
  • Am9 – R-7-312×R×♭7♭3×R-7-3

Keys that contain Am9

Scales to play over Am9

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain A, C, E, G, B.

Other A chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Minor 9th chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the Am9 chord?
Am9 (A minor 9th) contains A, C, E, G, B — formula 1 ♭3 5 ♭7 9.
How do you play Am9 on guitar?
A common shape is x02413 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with Am9?
Good choices to solo over Am9: A Dorian, A Aeolian (Minor), A Dorian ♯4.
What key is Am9 in?
Am9 is diatonic in C major (vi9), G major (ii9), E minor (iv9), A minor (i9).