Which notes are in the G#9 chord?

G#9 contains the notes G#, C, D#, F# and A#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9.

How many ways can you play G#9?

Minory lists 2 guitar fingerings for G#9, 1 of which is a barre shape. They all produce the same chord — what changes is the voicing and where it sits on the neck.

Is the G#9 chord hard to play?

G#9 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.

Are G#9 and Ab9 the same chord?

Yes. G#9 and Ab9 are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.

G# dominant 9th · Guitar

G#9 Chord on Guitar

The G#9 chord (G# dominant 9th) is built from the notes G#, C, D#, F# and A#. 2 different guitar fingerings for it are shown below. The same chord is also written Ab9; both spellings sound identical.

Chord diagrams

Position 1starts at fret 5

Fingering

string 6 (E): muted
string 5 (A): muted
string 4 (D): fret 6 — middle finger
string 3 (G): fret 5 — index finger
string 2 (B): fret 7 — little finger
string 1 (E): fret 6 — ring finger

Position 2barre shape · starts at fret 10

Fingering

string 6 (E): muted
string 5 (A): fret 11 — middle finger
string 4 (D): fret 10 — index finger
string 3 (G): fret 11 — ring finger
string 2 (B): fret 11 — ring finger
string 1 (E): fret 11 — ring finger

Notes in this chord

G♯
C
D♯
F♯
A♯

Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9

Also written: Ab9

How to play

Every guitar shape for G#9 needs a barre, and the lowest one starts at fret 5. Keep the index finger straight and as close to the fret wire as possible, and let the wrist rather than the thumb supply the pressure.

Theory behind the chord

Dominant ninth chords extend the dominant seventh with a ninth on top. They keep the pull of a seventh chord but sound fuller and more coloured, which is why funk and soul rhythm parts lean on them. On G#9 this structure sits on the root G#, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9 map onto G#, C, D#, F# and A#.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the G#9 chord?: G#9 contains the notes G#, C, D#, F# and A#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9.
How many ways can you play G#9?: Minory lists 2 guitar fingerings for G#9, 1 of which is a barre shape. They all produce the same chord — what changes is the voicing and where it sits on the neck.
Is the G#9 chord hard to play?: G#9 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.
Are G#9 and Ab9 the same chord?: Yes. G#9 and Ab9 are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.

Practise G#9 on your phone

Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.