Guitar chord A#m(maj9) - diagrams and theory
The A#m(maj9) chord (A# minor major ninth) is spelled A#, C#, E#, G## and B#. It sounds identical to Bbm(maj9), whose notes Bb, Db, F, A and C are plain to read.
In the sharp spelling the major seventh is a double sharp and the ninth is B#, so the chord needs many accidentals. The A# melodic minor scale contains all five notes, so the sound is no different from the flat version, only the notation. Both names describe the same pitches, so only the spelling differs. The minor third, C#, is the same pitch as Db.
A# minor major 9th guitar chord is also written as A#m(maj9), A#mM9, A#minmaj9 or A#-Δ9.
Notes in the A# m(maj9) chord:
Chord Formula:
Formula: 1 b3 5 7 9
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FAQ
What notes are in A#m(maj9)?
A#m(maj9) is spelled A#, C#, E#, G## and B#. That is A#m(maj7) with B# added as the ninth.
Why does A#m(maj9) have both G## and B#?
Stacking thirds from A# uses the letters A, C, E, G, B. The major seventh is G## and the ninth is B#, which sound like A and C. Plain A and C would repeat letters already used.
Is A#m(maj9) the same chord as Bbm(maj9)?
Yes. A# and Bb are one pitch, so the chords sound identical. Bbm(maj9) is spelled Bb, Db, F, A and C, which makes it much easier to read.
Which scale contains A# minor major ninth?
A# melodic minor: A#, B#, C#, D#, E#, F## and G##. All five chord notes are in it, and the ninth B# is the scale's second degree.
How does A#m(maj9) differ from A#m9?
A#m9 uses the minor seventh G#. A#m(maj9) raises that note a semitone to G##, keeping the ninth B#, so the seventh becomes major.
