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)

e|---5---| B|---5---| G|---5---| D|---9---| A|---7---| E|---5---|

Full & Lush (575557)

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

Jazz Standard Grip

e|---x---| B|--12---| G|--12---| D|--11---| A|---x---| E|--12---|

R&B Favorite (xx7557)

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

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