root position: Am9
A – C – E – G – B
Am9 Piano Chord
The A minor 9 chord (Am9) is made of the notes A, C, E, G and B. Its formula is 1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9.
Notes in Am9
| Note | Formula | Interval from root |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | root |
| C | ♭3 | minor 3rd |
| E | 5 | perfect 5th |
| G | ♭7 | minor 7th |
| B | 9 | major 9th |
How to play Am9 on piano
- Right hand: fingers 1-2-3-4-5
- Left hand: fingers 5-4-3-2-1
Fingers are numbered from the thumb (1) to the little finger (5).
This chord spans more than an octave. Many players leave out the 5th, or play the root in the left hand and the other notes in the right.
Am9 inversions
1st inversion: Am9/C
C – E – G – A – B
2nd inversion: Am9/E
E – G – A – B – C
3rd inversion: Am9/G
G – A – B – C – E
Other names for Am9
Am9 is also written as Amin9, A-9.
Keys that contain Am9
Am9 is not one of the basic chords of any major or minor key. It is usually used as a passing or colour chord.