Which notes are in the A9 chord?

A9 contains the notes A, C#, E, G and B. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9.

How many ways can you play A9?

Minory lists a single ukulele fingering for A9.

Is the A9 chord hard to play?

Not really. The open position of A9 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.

A dominant 9th · Ukulele

A9 Chord on Ukulele

The A9 chord (A dominant 9th) is built from the notes A, C#, E, G and B. The ukulele fingering for it is shown below.

Chord diagrams

A9open position

Fingering

string 4 (G): played open
string 3 (C): fret 1 — index finger
string 2 (E): played open
string 1 (A): fret 2 — ring finger

Notes in this chord

A
C♯
E
G
B

Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9

How to play

A9 can be played with open strings on ukulele, which makes it an accessible shape for beginners. Strings marked ○ ring open, while strings marked ✕ are muted.

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 A9 this structure sits on the root A, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9 map onto A, C#, E, G and B.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the A9 chord?: A9 contains the notes A, C#, E, G and B. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9.
How many ways can you play A9?: Minory lists a single ukulele fingering for A9.
Is the A9 chord hard to play?: Not really. The open position of A9 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.

Practise A9 on your phone

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