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G9 Chord

G9 is a dominant seventh plus A, the ninth. Its full spelling has five different notes, so a practical guitar or ukulele grip may leave out a less essential chord tone.

  • Notes: G-B-D-F-A
  • Symbol: G9
  • V9 in C major
  • Seventh and ninth
Switch chordG9

How to play a G9 chord

Notes: G - B - D - F - A ยท symbol G9

  • Root position

    G - B - D - F - A
    C4C5

  • 1st inversion

    B - D - F - A - G
    C4C5

  • 2nd inversion

    D - F - A - G - B
    C4C5

  • 3rd inversion

    F - A - G - B - D
    C4C5

Where does G9 belong?

In C major, G9 extends the V7 chord before it resolves to the tonic.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In C majorDominant with a ninth
    V9

    A V7 with the ninth on top: the same pull to C, a fuller sound.

    CIFIVG9V9CI
  • In G bluesFunk and blues home
    I9

    In funk and blues this is a home chord that never has to resolve.

    G9I9C9IV9G9I9D9V9

Progressions to try

  • CFG9C

    G9 is V9 in C major; its seventh keeps the dominant pull while the ninth adds another voice.

  • G9C9G9D9

    Treat the repeated G9 as a blues home chord, then hear the other ninth chords answer it.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open 300001 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The 353435 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, start with 2532, played at the 2nd fret. The 10-9-7-10 grip moves the chord to another register. Compare its sounded notes with the full five-note spelling above.

On piano, spread the five-note spelling across both hands: G-B-D-F-A. Move G up an octave to reach the first inversion, B-D-F-A-G; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

The first four notes, G-B-D-F, form the dominant seventh. A adds the ninth.

  • Root position: G-B-D-F-A, with G lowest.
  • First inversion: B-D-F-A-G, written G9/B if B is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: D-F-A-G-B, written G9/D if D is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: F-A-G-B-D, written G9/F if F is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Fourth inversion: A-G-B-D-F, written G9/A if A is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does G9 differ from G7?

Remove the ninth, A, and the remaining notes form G7. The seventh stays, so both chords can still pull toward the same tonic. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See G7 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • G9

    G - B - D - F - A
    C4

    G dominant 9

  • G7

    G - B - D - F
    C4

    G dominant 7

Try another chord