Abmaj9 Guitar Chord | How to Play The Ab Major Ninth Chord
Welcome to this tutorial where we will delve into the intricacies of the Ab maj9 chord. This chord, which belongs to the Major Chords family, is composed of the notes Ab, C, Eb, G, and Bb. The intervals that build this chord are 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9, also known as the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Seventh, and Major Ninth respectively.
Understanding the music intervals that compose a chord is crucial in mastering the art of guitar playing. If you're unfamiliar with terms like 'Major Third' or 'Perfect Fifth', we recommend visiting our tutorial about fretboard intervals for a comprehensive overview.
Once you have a solid understanding of these intervals, you'll be ready to tackle the Ab maj9 chord. This chord is a bit more advanced than beginner chords, so it might be challenging for some. But don't worry, our tutorial about more advanced chords is here to guide you through the process.
Playing the Ab maj9 chord involves particular fretboard patterns and chord diagrams that show the tones composing the chord. If you're interested in building chords by stacking intervals, check out our tutorial that teaches how to build chords by stacking intervals.
The Ab maj9 chord is often used in jazz chord progressions. If you're interested in jazz music, you might find our tutorial about jazz chord progression useful. It often utilizes maj7, m7, and 7 chord types, including our Ab maj9 chord.
Lastly, if you're struggling to name a chord shape shown on the fretboard, our interactive tool to analyze chord shapes might come in handy. Happy strumming!
Notes of the Ab maj9 chord:
Chord structure of the Major Ninth chord:
Abmaj9 Guitar Chord Shapes
Chord boxes are sorted from the easiest to the hardest. Learn how to read chord diagrams.
If you have difficulties with bar chord shapes, check the Bar Chords Tips tutorial.
You can also use this accessible chords page with written diagrams instruction.
Position 1
Movable
Position 2
Barre
Movable
Position 3
Barre
Movable
You can find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you
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FAQ
What are the specific notes and intervals that make up an Ab maj9 chord?
The Ab maj9 chord is composed of five notes: Ab, C, Eb, G, and Bb. These correspond to the following intervals relative to the root (Ab): Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Seventh, and Major Ninth (or 1, 3, 5, 7, 9).
What does 'maj9' signify in the Ab maj9 chord name?
The 'maj' in Ab maj9 indicates that the chord contains a Major Third and a Major Seventh above the root. The '9' signifies the addition of the Major Ninth interval to that Major Seventh chord, giving it a richer, more extended sound.
Why is the Ab maj9 chord considered a more advanced chord for guitarists?
The Ab maj9 chord is considered advanced because it includes five distinct notes, which can be challenging to voice effectively on the fretboard. It also requires a solid understanding of intervals and chord construction beyond basic triads.
When is the Ab maj9 chord typically used in music?
The Ab maj9 chord is frequently used in jazz music and jazz chord progressions. Its rich and complex sound makes it well-suited for adding harmonic color and sophistication, often appearing as a tonic or a dominant chord extension.
How does the Ab maj9 chord relate to the 'Major Chords family'?
The Ab maj9 chord belongs to the Major Chords family because its fundamental structure includes a Major Third and a Major Seventh above the root. The addition of the Perfect Fifth and Major Ninth expands upon this inherent major quality.