G9 chord

G9 is G, B, D, F and A: 1–3–5–♭7–9 built on G. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele. Tap Play on any of them.

On guitar

3-2-0-2-0-1 · open · medium

root position · G–B–D–F–A · right hand 1-2-3-4-5

2-5-3-2 · movable · medium

Here's what the hand does on the most common changes, on guitar and on piano.

G9 → C (dominant, pulls to the chord a fifth below)
Guitar: G9 (3-2-0-2-0-1) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): the index finger slides across to the B string at the same fret, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, your ring finger lands on the A string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. The two chords share G, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: G9 to C: play C in 2nd inversion (G–C–E) and G stays under the same finger, while B moves up to C and F down to E. C
G9 → Cmaj7 (I in C major)
Guitar: G9 (3-2-0-2-0-1) to Cmaj7 (x-3-2-0-0-0): the index finger goes to the D string, 2nd fret, the middle finger goes to the A string, 3rd fret. The two chords share G and B, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: G9 to Cmaj7: play Cmaj7 in 2nd inversion (G–B–C–E) and G and B stay under the same fingers, while D moves down to C and F down to E. Cmaj7
G9 → Am7 (vi in C major)
Guitar: G9 (3-2-0-2-0-1) to Am7 (x-0-2-0-1-0): the index finger slides across to the B string at the same fret, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret. G and A carry over from one chord to the other.
Piano: G9 to Am7: play Am7 in 1st inversion (C–E–G–A) and A stays under the same finger, while B moves up to C, F down to E and F up to G. Am7

Guitar with a capo: capo 3, E9 shape; capo 7, C9 shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 7, C9 shape.

G9 is a dominant ninth: G7 with the ninth on top. It has the pull of a seventh chord with a funkier, fuller color, and like G7 it leans toward C.

Count keys (black and white) from G: 4 half steps up to B, 3 half steps up to D, 3 half steps up to F then 4 half steps up to A.

Note	Role	Half steps
G	root	0
B	major third	4
D	perfect fifth	7
F	minor seventh	10
A	ninth	14

No major or natural minor key contains G9 as one of its own chords; it turns up as a passing chord on the way somewhere else.

Chords that share most of their notes with G9: Dm6, G7, Gadd9, Bm7♭5, Dm, Dsus4.

What notes are in the G9 chord?

G, B, D, F and A. G9 is built 1–3–5–♭7–9 from G: B is the major third, D is the perfect fifth, F is the minor seventh and A is the ninth.

How do you play G9 on guitar?

The usual shape is 3-2-0-2-0-1 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.

How do you play G9 on piano?

Play G, B, D, F and A with right-hand fingers 1-2-3-4-5. G sits between the first two black keys of the three. Inversions and left hand.

How do you play G9 on ukulele?

2-5-3-2 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.

What key is G9 in?

No major or natural minor key contains G9 as one of its own chords; it turns up as a passing chord on the way somewhere else.

What's the difference between G9 and G7?

G9 is G7 plus A.

Diagrams and sound come from the same data, tested so they match. Updated September 2026.