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Amaj9 Chord on Guitar

Amaj9 is the A major 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 ▸

Amaj9: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • Amaj9 – open position×R5937open position
  • Amaj9 – fret 2R95R37fret 2
  • Amaj9 – fret 44R37957fret 4
  • Amaj9 – fret 66××R379fret 6
  • Amaj9 – fret 99×R9573fret 9
  • Amaj9 – fret 1111×R379×fret 11

Amaj9: Shell voicings (jazz)

  • Amaj9 – R-3-74R37×××R-3-7
  • Amaj9 – R-3-711×R37××R-3-7
  • Amaj9 – R-7-35R×73××R-7-3
  • Amaj9 – R-7-312×R×73×R-7-3

Keys that contain Amaj9

Scales to play over Amaj9

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

Other A chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Major 9th chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the Amaj9 chord?
Amaj9 (A major 9th) contains A, C♯, E, G♯, B — formula 1 3 5 7 9.
How do you play Amaj9 on guitar?
A common shape is x02424 (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 Amaj9?
Good choices to solo over Amaj9: A Ionian (Major), A Lydian.
What key is Amaj9 in?
Amaj9 is diatonic in E major (IVmaj9), A major (Imaj9), C♯ minor (♭VImaj9), F♯ minor (♭IIImaj9).