Am9 Chord Guide

This page dives into the Am9 minor-ninth chord for guitar - its voicings, compatible scales and modes, plus where it delivers that silky, soulful, modern-jazz and R&B depth. Am9 (A • C • E • G • B) is Am7 with the added ninth, creating one of the smoothest, most sophisticated minor extensions.

Chord Voicings & Tablature

Common ways to play Am9

Classic Barre (579555)

Full & Lush (575557)

Jazz Standard Grip

R&B Favorite (xx7557)

Scales & Modes That Fit Perfectly

Minor Family Modes

• A Aeolian (Natural Minor): A B C D E F G A
  

  e|------------------------0-1-3-5--|
  B|------------------0-1-3----------|
  G|--------------0-2----------------|
  D|--------0-2-3--------------------|
  A|--0-2-3--------------------------|
  E|---------------------------------|

• D Dorian: D E F G A B C D
  

  e|------------------------5-7-8-10--|
  B|------------------5-6-8-----------|
  G|------------4-5-7-----------------|
  D|--------5-7-----------------------|
  A|--5-7-8---------------------------|
  E|----------------------------------|

• E Phrygian: E F G A B C D E
  

  e|-----------------------------0-1-3-5-7-8-10-12--|
  B|-----------------------0-1-3--------------------|
  G|-------------------0-2--------------------------|
  D|-------------0-2-3------------------------------|
  A|-------0-2-3------------------------------------|
  E|-0-1-3------------------------------------------|

Major Family Modes

• F Lydian: F G A B C D E
  

  e|----------------------------------10-12-13--|
  B|------------------------10-12-13------------|
  G|------------------10-12---------------------|
  D|------------0-2-3---------------------------|
  A|------0-2-3---------------------------------|
  E|--1-3---------------------------------------|

• G Mixolydian: G A B C D E F G
  

  e|----------------------------0-1-3--|
  B|----------------------0-1-3--------|
  G|------------------0-2--------------|
  D|------------2-3-5------------------|
  A|------2-3-5------------------------|
  E|--3-5------------------------------|

Pentatonics & Extensions

• A Minor Pentatonic + 9th: A B C D E G A B (smooth & safe)
  

  e|-------------------------5-7-8--|
  B|---------------------5-8--------|
  G|---------------4-5-7------------|
  D|-----------5-7------------------|
  A|-------5-7----------------------|
  E|-5-7-8--------------------------|

• Am9 Arpeggio: A C E G B
  

  e|------------------3-7--|
  B|--------------1-5------|
  G|----------2-4----------|
  D|------2-5--------------|
  A|--0-3------------------|
  E|-----------------------|

Am9 in Legendary Songs

The rich, extended harmony of Am9 appears in jazz standards, soul classics, and modern tracks:

• "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder (funk groove with extended chords)
• Various jazz interpretations of "Autumn Leaves" (minor ii-V-i extensions)
• "The Chicken" by Jaco Pastorius (funk/jazz fusion staple)
• Soul/R&B ballads like those from D'Angelo or Erykah Badu
• Neo-soul progressions in tracks by artists like Jill Scott
• Modern jazz and fusion pieces featuring lush minor 9ths