Gmaj9 Chord Guide

This page dives into the Gmaj9 major-ninth chord for guitar - its voicings, compatible scales and modes, plus where it adds that ultra-lush, dreamy, modern-jazz shimmer. Gmaj9 (G • B • D • F# • A) is Gmaj7 with the added ninth, creating one of the richest, most sophisticated open sounds on the instrument.

Chord Voicings & Tablature

Common ways to play Gmaj9

Classic Open (3x0202)

e|---2---| B|---0---| G|---2---| D|---0---| A|---x---| E|---3---|

Full & Sparkling (3x4433)

e|---3---| B|---3---| G|---4---| D|---4---| A|---x---| E|---3---|

Modern Jazz Grip

e|---x---| B|---8---| G|---9---| D|---9---| A|---x---| E|--10---|

Acoustic Favorite (xx5475)

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

Scales & Modes That Fit Perfectly

Major Family Modes

G Ionian (Major): G A B C D E F# G

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

C Lydian: C D E F# G A B C (extra dreamy with #11)

e|--------------------------5-7-8-|
B|--------------------5-7-8-------|
G|--------------4-5-7-------------|
D|--------4-5-7-------------------|
A|--3-5-7-------------------------|
E|--------------------------------|

D Mixolydian: D E F# G A B C D (major scale w/ bluesy b7)

e|------------------------------7-8-10-|
B|-----------------------7-8-10--------|
G|-------------------7-9---------------|
D|------------7-9-10-------------------|
A|-----7-9-10--------------------------|
E|--10---------------------------------|

Pentatonics & Extensions

G Major Pentatonic + 9th: G A B D E (safe, lush foundation)

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

Gmaj9 Arpeggio: G B D F# A

e|-------------2-3-|
G|---------2-4-----|
D|-----0-4---------|
A|---2-------------|
E|-3---------------|

Gmaj9 in Legendary Songs

The expansive, ethereal beauty of Gmaj9 is a modern jazz, fusion, and acoustic favorite:

"Little Wing" by Jimi Hendrix – Iconic Gmaj9 voicings in the intro (often played as partials).
"The Rain Song" by Led Zeppelin – Lush Gmaj9 layers in the atmospheric sections.
"Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones – Smooth Gmaj9 in the jazzy progression.
"Cause We've Ended as Lovers" by Jeff Beck/Stevie Wonder – Gorgeous Gmaj9 swells.
"Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden (bridge) – Dark-tinged Gmaj9 extensions.
Countless modern jazz & fusion tunes – Gmaj9 is a staple for rich major harmony.

A
A - Amaj7 - Amaj9 - Am9

C
C - Cmaj7

G
G - Gmaj7 - Gmaj9 - Gadd9 - G7 - G6 - Gsus4 - Gsus2 - Gaug - Gm - Gm7 - Gm9 - Gm6 - Gdim

Glossary
Guitar/amp/pedal terminology