How to play the A7#9 chord on guitar
Unlock the secrets of this jazzy chord, featured in hit songs like "Purple Rain."
The A7#9 chord
The A7#9 chord, pronounced "A dominant sharp ninth," is a colorful and dissonant guitar voicing. Notable for its edgy, tense sound, it's favored in jazz, blues, and funk music. The chord is formed by adding a sharpened ninth to a dominant seventh chord, creating an ear-catching clash between the third and sharp ninth intervals. Its unique flavor lends a sophisticated, avant-garde vibe to compositions.
There are many ways to play a chord. Here's a diagram for the most common A7#9 chord. We've also included other versions below.
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Finger placement for A7#9 chord
The A7#9 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 5th fret of the guitar.
Follow these finger positions to play a A7#9 chord on your guitar:
- Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 5th fret.
- Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
- Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.
To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to strum down across all six strings in one smooth motion.
How to play an easy A7#9 chord on guitar
If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the A7#9 chord, try this:
- Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string.
- Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd (B) string.
- Strum only these two strings together.
This two-note version captures the essential sound of the A7#9 chord.
How to play a A7#9 bar chord
Playing the A7#9 chord as a barre chord allows you to easily transition between other barre chords and play the chord in different positions on the neck.
Here's how to play an A7#9 barre chord:
- Place your index finger across the 5th fret, covering all six strings (barre).
- Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
- Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
- Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 4th (D) string.
- Strum from the 5th (A) string down.
Common A7#9 chord progressions
The A7#9 chord often serves as a dramatic tension-builder or passing chord in progressions, lending an air of mystery, suspense, or even a hint of danger. Some common chord progressions featuring the A7#9 include:
- i - VII7#9 - i (Amin - A7#9 - Amin)
- i - VII7#9 - VI7 - VII7 (Amin - A7#9 - G7 - A7). Used in "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson.
- i - VII7#9 - iv - VII7#9 (Amin - A7#9 - Dmin - A7#9)
- VI7 - VII7#9 - i (F7 - A7#9 - Amin)
- ii - VII7#9 - III7 (Bmin7 - A7#9 - C#7)
Drills to master the A7#9 chord
Mastering the A7#9 chord on guitar can be challenging, but with focused practice, you'll be playing it like a pro in no time. One effective drill is to play the chord as an arpeggio, plucking each note individually in ascending and descending order. This helps your fingers develop muscle memory and ensures each note rings out clearly.
Another valuable exercise is to practice transitioning smoothly between the A7#9 and other common chords, such as A7, D7, and E7. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the changes.
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Songs that feature the A7#9 chord
Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the A7#9 chord.
- Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix (Chords: E7, G, A, E7, D, C, A7#9)
- Foxey Lady by Jimi Hendrix (Chords: E7#9, F#7#9, G7#9, A7#9)
- The Wind Cries Mary by Jimi Hendrix (Chords: A7#9, Dmaj7, Bm7, F#m7)
- Stone Free by Jimi Hendrix (Chords: E7, D7, A7, C7, B7, A7#9)
- Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix (Chords: E, G, A, Emaj7, F#m7, B7, A7#9)
- Spanish Castle Magic by Jimi Hendrix (Chords: A7#9, D7#9, E7#9)
- Lonely Avenue by Ray Charles (Chords: A7#9, D9, A7#9, D9, A7#9, E9, D9, A7#9)
- Drifting by Jimi Hendrix (Chords: E7, A7#9, D7#9, G7#9)
- Belly Button Window by Jimi Hendrix (Chords: A7#9, D7#9, E7#9)
- Rainy Day, Dream Away by Jimi Hendrix (Chords: A7#9, D7#9, G7#9, C7#9)
How a guitar teacher can help
If you feel stuck in your playing, it might help to take personalized guitar lessons with an expert guitarist. Taking lessons with a pro gives you access to the skills, feedback, and motivation to reach your goals.
You can find expert guitar teachers to support you in the journey. Thousands of people have turned to online guitar lessons on Til, instead of traditional in-person lessons, because Til gives you access to the best teachers in the world from the comfort of home. And with flexible scheduling, secure payments, lesson recordings, and a private chat with your teacher–there’s never been a better way to learn guitar.