How to play the Gmaj9 chord on guitar

The Gmaj9 chord, pronounced "G major ninth," is a sophisticated and versatile guitar chord that adds a dreamy, jazzy flavor to progressions. Notable for its lush, open sound, the Gmaj9 is crafted by adding the ninth scale degree to a G major triad. This chord is frequently employed in genres like jazz, neo-soul, and R&B, and can be heard in songs by artists like John Mayer and Tom Misch.

The Gmaj9 chord is typically played on the 3rd fret of the guitar neck.

Follow these finger positions to play a Gmaj9 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across the 3rd fret, covering all six strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd (B) string.

Strum all six strings together to play the Gmaj9 chord. Make sure to apply even pressure with your index finger across all the strings for a clear and balanced sound.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Gmaj9 chord, try playing an open G chord (G-B-D) and adding your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st (high E) string. This will give you a G major chord with an added 9th, which is a simpler way to play Gmaj9.

The Gmaj9 chord is commonly played as an open chord, but learning the barre chord version can be useful for playing in higher positions on the fretboard or for transitioning to other barre chords.

Here's how to play a Gmaj9 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 3rd fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 5th fret of the 1st (high E) string.
4. Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
5. Strum from the 6th (low E) string down to the 1st (high E) string.

The Gmaj9 chord is often used to add a dreamy, ethereal quality to chord progressions, evoking a sense of sophistication and emotional depth. Some common chord progressions featuring Gmaj9 include:

• I - Imaj9 - ii7 - V7 (G - Gmaj9 - Am7 - D7)
• ii7 - V7 - Imaj9 - vi7 (Am7 - D7 - Gmaj9 - Em7)
• Imaj9 - iii7 - vi7 - ii7 - V7 (Gmaj9 - Bm7 - Em7 - Am7 - D7)
• ii7 - V7 - I - Imaj9 (Am7 - D7 - G - Gmaj9)
• Imaj9 - IV7 - vii7 - iii7 (Gmaj9 - C7 - F#m7b5 - Bm7)

To master the Gmaj9 chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, starting with the lowest note and working your way up. Focus on playing each note cleanly and evenly, paying attention to the tone and sustain of each string.

Once you're comfortable playing the notes individually, practice transitioning smoothly between the Gmaj9 chord and other chords you commonly use, such as C, D, or Em. Work on maintaining a consistent rhythm and tempo as you switch between chords, and gradually increase your speed as you become more proficient.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Gmaj9 chord:

1. Jolene by Ray LaMontagne (Gmaj9, Am7, Bm7, Cmaj7)
2. My Favorite Things by John Coltrane (Gmaj9, E7#9, Am7, D7)
3. Pure Imagination by Kathleen Battle (Gmaj9, C9, Bm7, E7b9, Am7, D7alt)
4. Stardust by Nat King Cole (Gmaj9, Bm7, Am7, D7)
5. When You Wish Upon a Star by Bill Evans (Gmaj9, E7#9, Am7, D7)
6. The Rainbow Connection by Sarah McLachlan (Gmaj9, C9, Bm7, E7, Am7, A7, D7sus4, D7)
7. I Remember You by Bjork (Gmaj9, Bm7, E7, Am7, D7)
8. Alice in Wonderland by Bill Evans (Gmaj9, C9, F#m7b5, B7b9)
9. Moonlight in Vermont by Frank Sinatra (Gmaj9, Bm7, E7#9, Am7, D7)
10. I'm Old Fashioned by Chet Baker (Gmaj9, Am7, Bm7, Bbm7, Eb7)