What is A Minor 9?
The A Minor 9 guitar chord is formed by the notes A – C – E – G – B and is played using the fingering x02000. It’s a minor chord commonly used in Am9-Dm9-G7-Cmaj9.
A Minor 9 Chord Diagram
Standard Position
6th (E) string: Don't play
5th (A) string: Open
4th (D) string: 2th fret
3rd (G) string: Open
2nd (B) string: Open
1st (E) string: Open
How to Play A Minor 9
- Place fingertips close to the fret wire using the diagram x02000.
- Arch fingers so they don’t touch adjacent strings; keep thumb behind the neck.
- Pick each string to check for buzz or mute; adjust pressure and curl.
- Strum slow down-strums; add down–down–up–up–down–up when clean.
Pro Tip: Practice chord changes with a metronome at 70–90 BPM for one-minute rounds.
A Minor 9 Variations
Am9 (full)
x02000
Simple open voicing
Am9 (jazz)
5x555x
Barre chord voicing
Am9add11
x02003
Adds the 11th for extra color
Am9/C
x32000
First inversion with C in bass
Popular Songs Using A Minor 9
Famous Examples:
- • Stairway to Heaven
- • The Girl From Ipanema
- • Blue in Green
More Hits:
- • Tears in Heaven
- • Black
- • Mad World
Common Chord Progressions with A Minor 9
Am9-Dm9-G7-Cmaj9
Minor ii-V-I with 9th extensions
Am9-F-C-G
vi-IV-I-V with minor 9th color
Am9-Em7-Fmaj7
Classic jazz ii-V-I progression
Am9-Dm9-G13-Cmaj9
Sophisticated minor progression
Am9-F9-C9-G13
A popular progression used in many songs
Practice Tips for A Minor 9
1. Neo-Soul Essential
Fundamental for neo-soul and modern R&B
2. Open Voicing
Beautiful open chord for acoustic playing
3. Emotional Depth
Adds sophistication to minor progressions
4. Easy Fingering
Simple fingering for such a complex sound
Music Theory Behind A Minor 9
Notes in A Minor 9: A - C - E - G - B
Scale: A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A
Key Signature: No sharps or flats (A natural minor)
Relative Major: Cmaj9
Am9 combines the minor 7th with the added 9th (B), creating rich harmonic color essential for jazz, neo-soul, and modern pop.
Related Chords to Learn
Master A Minor 9 Today!
A Minor 9 is an advanced chord that will expand your musical vocabulary significantly!