The A9 Guitar Chord, often written as A dominant 9th, is a rich and versatile chord that can add a touch of sophistication and depth to your guitar playing. If you’re looking to expand your chord vocabulary beyond basic major and minor chords and explore genres like jazz, blues, funk, and even pop, the A9 is an essential chord to learn. This guide will break down everything you need to know about the A9 guitar chord, from different ways to play it, to common chord progressions, practice tips, and songs that feature this beautiful voicing.
Understanding the A9 Chord
Before diving into finger positions, let’s understand what makes the A9 chord unique. It’s built upon the A dominant 7th chord, but with an added “9th” note. In musical terms, this means we’re adding the 9th degree of the A major scale to the chord. This extra note creates a more complex and colorful sound compared to a standard A major or A7 chord. The A9 chord is known for its jazzy, bluesy, and sometimes even dreamy quality.
You’ll find the A9 guitar chord in a wide range of musical styles. From the smooth jazz progressions of classic tunes to the bluesy riffs of guitar legends, the A9 adds harmonic interest and a distinctive flavor. Learning this chord will not only enhance your playing but also open doors to exploring new musical genres and expanding your creative expression on the guitar.
Standard Finger Position for the A9 Guitar Chord
This is the most common and widely used voicing for the A9 guitar chord. It’s a barre chord that requires some finger strength but offers a full and resonant sound.
Here’s how to form the standard A9 guitar chord:
- Barre: Use your index finger to barre across all six strings at the 5th fret. Ensure each string is pressed down cleanly to avoid buzzing.
- Middle Finger: Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string (G string).
- Ring Finger: Position your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 5th string (A string).
- Pinky Finger: Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string (D string).
Strum all six strings downwards. Listen carefully to each string to ensure they ring clearly. If any strings are muted or buzzing, adjust your finger pressure and barre technique.
An Easier Version of the A9 Chord for Beginners
If the standard barre chord feels challenging, especially for beginners, there’s a simpler version of the A9 guitar chord that you can learn first. This voicing is easier to finger and still captures the essence of the A9 sound.
Here’s how to play the easy A9 chord:
- Index Finger: Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string (D string).
- Middle Finger: Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string (G string).
- Ring Finger: Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string (B string).
For this easier version, strum only the top four strings (D, G, B, and high E). Avoid strumming the lower E and A strings. This voicing is perfect for practicing the sound of the A9 chord and using it in simpler musical contexts.
Playing the A9 as a Barre Chord Up the Neck
Once you’re comfortable with barre chords, you can also play the A9 guitar chord as a barre chord shape higher up the guitar neck. This is useful for chord progressions that move up the fretboard and for creating different tonal colors.
To play the A9 barre chord:
- Barre: Barre your index finger across strings 1 through 5 (E, B, G, D, and A strings) at your desired fret. For example, to play an A9 at the 5th fret position, barre at the 5th fret.
- Middle Finger: Place your middle finger one fret higher than the barre (e.g., 6th fret if barring at the 5th) on the 3rd string (G string).
- Ring Finger: Place your ring finger two frets higher than the barre (e.g., 7th fret if barring at the 5th) on the 5th string (A string).
- Pinky Finger: Place your pinky finger two frets higher than the barre (e.g., 7th fret if barring at the 5th) on the 4th string (D string).
- Strum all six strings.
You can move this barre shape up and down the neck to play different 9th chords. For example, moving this shape two frets higher would give you a B9 chord.
Common Chord Progressions Featuring the A9 Chord
The A9 chord shines in various chord progressions, often adding a sophisticated and jazzy feel. Here are some common progressions where you can use the A9 chord:
- ii9 – V7 – Imaj7: This classic jazz progression (in the key of C major, it would be Dm9 – G7 – Cmaj7; in A major: Bm9 – E7 – Amaj7) uses the 9th chord to create smooth voice leading and harmonic interest.
- I9 – vi7 – ii7 – V7: Another common jazz progression (in A major: A9 – F#m7 – Bm7 – E7). This progression showcases the A9 as the tonic chord, establishing a relaxed and sophisticated harmonic foundation.
- I9 – IV7 – v7 – I7: A bluesier progression (in A major: A9 – D7 – Em7 – A7). This progression uses the A9 in a dominant function, creating a bluesy and soulful feel.
- ii9 – V9 – Imaj9: An extended jazz progression (like in “Girl from Ipanema” or “Cry Me a River”, in C major: Dm9 – G9 – Cmaj9; in A major: Bm9 – E9 – Amaj9). Using 9th chords throughout this progression creates a very lush and sophisticated sound.
- I9sus4 – I9 – ii9 – V9: A more contemporary progression (in A major: A9sus4 – A9 – Bm9 – E9). The suspended 9th chord adds a touch of tension before resolving to the A9.
Experiment with these progressions and listen to how the A9 guitar chord enhances the overall harmonic texture.
Practice Drills to Master the A9 Chord
Consistent practice is key to mastering any guitar chord, including the A9. Here are some effective drills to help you get comfortable with the A9:
- Arpeggios: Play each note of the A9 chord individually, ascending and descending. Focus on clean fretting and letting each note ring out clearly. This helps you internalize the sound of the chord and improve finger independence. Gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.
- Chord Transitions: Practice transitioning between the A9 guitar chord and other common chords you know, such as A major, D major, E major, and F#m. Use a metronome and start slowly, focusing on smooth and quick transitions. Increase the tempo gradually as you improve.
- 1-Minute Chord Changes: Set a timer for one minute and practice switching to and from the A9 chord as many times as possible cleanly and accurately. This is a great way to build muscle memory and improve your chord changing speed.
- Incorporate into Progressions: Practice playing the A9 chord within the chord progressions mentioned earlier. This will help you apply the chord in a musical context and train your ear to recognize its sound in different musical situations.
Songs That Feature the A9 Guitar Chord
Learning songs is a fun and practical way to solidify your understanding and playing of the A9 guitar chord. Here are some popular songs that feature the A9 chord, spanning various genres:
- Hey Jude by The Beatles: A classic song with a memorable A9 chord in its progression.
- Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty: Features the A9 chord adding a touch of color to this iconic song.
- Rude by MAGIC!: A pop-reggae hit that incorporates the A9 chord.
- Santeria by Sublime: A blend of rock, reggae, and ska that uses the A9 effectively.
- I’m Yours by Jason Mraz: A popular acoustic song that includes the A9 chord.
- Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Deep Blue Something: This 90s hit uses the A9 in its catchy progression.
- What I Got by Sublime: Another Sublime hit showcasing the A9 chord.
- The General by Dispatch: A folk-rock song that utilizes the A9.
- Jane Says by Jane’s Addiction: A rock classic with the A9 chord adding a unique flavor.
- Amber by 311: A rock/reggae track that features the A9.
Learning these songs will not only improve your A9 guitar chord playing but also expose you to how it’s used in real musical scenarios.
Seeking Guidance from a Guitar Teacher
If you’re finding it challenging to learn the A9 guitar chord or want to take your guitar playing to the next level, consider seeking guidance from a qualified guitar teacher. A teacher can provide personalized feedback, correct your technique, and create a structured learning plan tailored to your goals.
Online guitar lessons offer a convenient and effective way to learn from experienced instructors. Platforms like Til provide access to a wide range of expert guitar teachers who can help you master chords like the A9 and develop your overall guitar skills. With personalized instruction, you can overcome challenges more efficiently and accelerate your progress on the guitar. Explore expert guitar teachers and take your playing to new heights!
