Piano chord
Am9A minor ninth
- A1
- C♭3
- E5
- G♭7
- B9
- Notes
- 5
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 14semitones
- Fingers
- 5 + 1-3-5
How to play Am9 on piano
- Find A: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Left hand: play A with the little finger (5), an octave below the right hand.
- Right hand: 1 on C, 3 on G, 5 on B.
- Leave out E: the chord is still recognisable without it, and the hand stays relaxed.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · A – C – E – G – B
1st inversion · C – E – G – B – A
2nd inversion · E – G – B – A – C
3rd inversion · G – B – A – C – E
This chord has more notes than one hand holds comfortably; see the two-hand voicing below.
Am9 inversions
Am9 can be played in 4 positions. In root position A is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: AA – C – E – G – B
- 1st inversionbass: CC – E – G – B – A
- 2nd inversionbass: EE – G – B – A – C
- 3rd inversionbass: GG – B – A – C – E
Am9 with two hands
A practical voicing: the left hand plays A, the right hand plays the colour notes C–G–B. Notes that can be left out are left out.
Am9 on other instruments
About the Am9 chord
A minor ninth has 5 notes: A (1), C (♭3), E (5), G (♭7), B (9). A minor ninth: a minor seventh with the ninth. Lush and mellow, heard in neo-soul and jazz ballads.
On the keyboard, start from A and add the other notes above it: A – C – E – G – B. From the lowest to the highest key that is 14 semitones. It is too wide for one hand: play A with the left hand and the rest with the right.
Each inversion of Am9 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is C (C–E–G–B–A). In the 2nd inversion the bass is E (E–G–B–A–C). In the 3rd inversion the bass is G (G–B–A–C–E).
Am9 is Am7 with one note added: B.
Questions
What notes are in the Am9 chord?
Am9 (A minor ninth) has 5 notes: A (1), C (♭3), E (5), G (♭7), B (9).
How many inversions does Am9 have?
Am9 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (A–C–E–G–B); 1st inversion (C–E–G–B–A); 2nd inversion (E–G–B–A–C); 3rd inversion (G–B–A–C–E).
What is the difference between Am9 and Am7?
Am9 is Am7 with one note added: B.
Can I play Am9 with one hand?
In root position Am9 spans 14 semitones, more than an octave. Play the root with the left hand and the upper notes with the right, or leave out the fifth.