How to play the Abmaj9 chord on guitar

The Abmaj9 chord, pronounced "A flat major ninth", is a rich and colorful voicing that adds a sophisticated touch to any musical arrangement. Notable for its dreamy and slightly jazzy sound, the Abmaj9 is often used in genres like neo-soul, R&B, and indie rock. Its lush tones can be heard in songs by artists like Tom Misch, Hiatus Kaiyote, and Rex Orange County.

The most common way to play the Abmaj9 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 4th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Abmaj9 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 4th fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 6th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 6th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to play all six strings in a downward motion. Alternatively, you can fingerpick the individual strings for a more delicate sound.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Abmaj9 chord, try playing an Ab major triad on the top three strings. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd (G) string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd (B) string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st (high E) string.

The Abmaj9 chord is typically played as an open chord, but learning the barre chord version can be useful for situations where you need to quickly transition between chords or want a different voicing.

Here's how to play an Abmaj9 barre chord:

1. Barre your index finger across the 6th fret, covering strings 1 through 5 (high E through A).
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Place your pinky on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
5. Strum from the 5th (A) string down.

The Abmaj9 chord adds a dreamy and ethereal quality to chord progressions, often evoking a sense of floating or yearning. Some common chord progressions featuring Abmaj9 include:

• I - IV - Abmaj9 - IV (Ab - Db - Abmaj9 - Db)
• VI - IV - I - Abmaj9 (F - Db - Ab - Abmaj9) Used in "The Thrill is Gone" by B.B. King
• Abmaj9 - VI - II - V (Abmaj9 - F - Bbm - Eb)
• I - Abmaj9 - VI - IV (Ab - Abmaj9 - F - Db)
• II - V - I - Abmaj9 (Bbm - Eb - Ab - Abmaj9)

To master the Abmaj9 guitar chord, start by playing each note individually, focusing on clarity and tone. Once comfortable, practice transitioning smoothly between the notes in various patterns, such as ascending or descending order.

Next, incorporate the Abmaj9 chord into progressions alongside other chords you already know. Experiment with different rhythms and strumming patterns to create interesting variations. As you gain confidence, try using the Abmaj9 in different musical contexts, like jazz or funk, to expand your versatility and creativity.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Abmaj9 chord.

1. Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers (Am7, Em7, Dm7, Am7, Abmaj9, Dm7, Cm7, Bm7b5, Esus4, E7)
2. Clocks by Coldplay (Abmaj9, Ebm7, Bbm7, Fm7)
3. Wonderwall by Oasis (Em7, G, Dsus4, A7sus4, Cadd9, Abmaj9)
4. Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars (Abmaj9, Gm7, Cm7, Fm7, Bb7, Ebmaj7)
5. Ordinary People by John Legend (Abmaj9, Db/Ab, Bbm7, Ebm7)
6. The Scientist by Coldplay (Abmaj9, Fm7, Db/F, Bbm7, Eb)
7. Hey Soul Sister by Train (Abmaj9, Eb, Bbsus2, Fm7)
8. I'm Yours by Jason Mraz (Abmaj9, Dadd9, E7, Fm7)
9. Sunday Morning by Maroon 5 (Abmaj9, Fm7, Db/F, Bbm7, Eb)
10. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman (Abmaj9, Dbmaj7, Bbm7, Fm7)