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A9 chord on guitar

A9 (A dominant ninth) is A, C♯, E, G and B. The easiest way to play it is the open A9 chord, written x02423. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 1st string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 4th fret. Let the 5th string ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

A9

A dominant ninth · A C♯ E G B · 1 3 5 ♭7 9

  • Open position

    Open chord

    1423AEBC♯G

    x02423

  • 5th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    5fr21314AGC♯EB

    5x5657

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are A, the root.

How to play A9

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open chord · Open position

    x02423
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 1st string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 4th fret.
    • Let the 5th string ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Root on the 6th string · 5th fret

    5x5657
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 4th to 2nd strings at the 5th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 6th string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 6th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 1st string, 7th fret.
    • Mute the 5th string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

Notes in the A9 chord

A9 is A, C♯, E, G and B, and it sounds full and funky, a seventh chord with more colour. From A, count 4 half steps up to C♯, 3 more to E, 3 more to G and 4 more to B. Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7 9. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with A lowest. See its inversions and keys on the A9 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after A9

Dxx0232A9 is the V9 of D: it resolves there like a V7, with more colour.Dmxx0231The same pull into Dm, home in the minor key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on A

AAmA7Amaj7Am7Asus2Asus4Aadd9A6AdimAm7♭5Adim7Aaug

Dominant ninth chords on other notes

C9C♯9D9E♭9E9F9F♯9G9A♭9B♭9B9

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play A9 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open A9 chord, written x02423. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 1st string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 4th fret. Let the 5th string ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the A9 chord?

A9 is A, C♯, E, G and B. In the shape written x02423, the 5th to 1st strings play A, E, B, C♯ and G.

Is A9 a barre chord?

No: none of its shapes here needs a barre.

How many ways can you play A9 on guitar?

This page shows two: x02423 (open position) and 5x5657 (5th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with A9?

Yes. “Make a beat in D major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in D major on D A Bm G, the key where A9 is the V9 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in D major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in D major on D A Bm G, the key where A9 is the V9 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in D majorAll guitar chords

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