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G9 chord on guitar

G9 (G dominant ninth) is G, B, D, F and A. The easiest way to play it is the open G9 chord, written 3x0201. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 1st string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 6th string, 3rd fret. Let the 4th and 2nd strings ring open. Mute the 5th string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

G9

G dominant ninth · G B D F A · 1 3 5 ♭7 9

  • Open position

    Open chord

    321GDABF

    3x0201

  • 3rd fret

    Root on the 6th string

    3fr21314GFBDA

    3x3435

  • 9th fret

    Root on the 5th string

    9fr21333GBFAD

    x-10-9-10-10-10

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 G, the root.

How to play G9

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

    3x0201
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 1st string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 6th string, 3rd fret.
    • Let the 4th and 2nd strings ring open.
    • Mute the 5th string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

  2. 2. Root on the 6th string · 3rd fret

    3x3435
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 4th to 2nd strings at the 3rd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 6th string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 4th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 1st string, 5th fret.
    • Mute the 5th string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

  3. 3. Root on the 5th string · 9th fret

    x-10-9-10-10-10
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 10th fret.
    • Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 3rd to 1st strings at the 10th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Notes in the G9 chord

G9 is G, B, D, F and A, and it sounds full and funky, a seventh chord with more colour. From G, count 4 half steps up to B, 3 more to D, 3 more to F and 4 more to A. 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 G lowest. See its inversions and keys on the G9 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after G9

Cx32010G9 is the V9 of C: it resolves there like a V7, with more colour.Cmx35543The same pull into Cm, home in the minor key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on G

GGmG7Gmaj7Gm7Gsus2Gsus4Gadd9G6GdimGm7♭5Gdim7Gaug

Dominant ninth chords on other notes

C9C♯9D9E♭9E9F9F♯9A♭9A9B♭9B9

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play G9 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open G9 chord, written 3x0201. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 1st string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 6th string, 3rd fret. Let the 4th and 2nd strings ring open. Mute the 5th string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

What notes are in the G9 chord?

G9 is G, B, D, F and A. In the shape written 3x0201, the 6th to 1st strings play G, D, A, B and F.

Is G9 a barre chord?

No: none of its shapes here needs a barre.

How many ways can you play G9 on guitar?

This page shows three: 3x0201 (open position), 3x3435 (3rd fret) and x-10-9-10-10-10 (9th 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 G9?

Yes. “Make a beat in C major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where G9 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 C major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where G9 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 C majorAll guitar chords

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