CifraLab

Fmaj9 Guitar Chord

Fmaj9 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
Fmaj9Guitar fingering diagram for Fmaj9Fret 78910×2143×STRING6ª×5ªF4ªA3ªE2ªG1ª×
View HD sheet

What sets Fmaj9 apart

Fmaj9 is built from F, A, C, E and G. F is the root, A the major third, C the fifth, E the major seventh and G the ninth.

From the low string to the high one you hear F, A, E and G. C, the fifth, does not sound in this fingering. The lowest note is F on string 5 and the highest is G on string 2.

Fmaj9 is a closed shape with no open strings. Move it to another fret and the chord changes, but the fingering stays. Strings 6 and 1 are not played. Everything fits between frets 7 and 9. The second shape on this page starts at fret 1.

From Fmaj9 to F9 only two strings change, 3 and 1. Fmaj9 holds the whole C chord inside it, C, E and G.

Fmaj9 shows up in four keys. In F major it is the Imaj9, in C major the IVmaj9 and in A minor the VImaj9. The rest appear in the key list.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01F F - Dm - Gm - C702Am Am - F - Dm - E7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (Fmaj9)

Formula: Major Seventh with Ninth (1 - 3 - 5 - 7 - 9)
Constituent chord intervals:

F 1A 3C 5E 7G 9

Root Bass (Fundamental String)5th String (A) • Fret 8 (F)

String Control (Muted & Active)4 / 6 • 2 X Muted

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Fmaj9:

01

Fret 1

Standard Position
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 8Finger 2
FDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 7Finger 1
ADegree 3
3rd String (G)
Fret 9Finger 4
EDegree 7
2nd String (B)
Fret 8Finger 3
GDegree 9
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 8 with your Middle finger, 4th String (D) at fret 7 with your Index finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 9 with your Pinky finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 8 with your Ring finger. Don't play: 6th String (Low E), 1st String (High E).

02

Jazz shape

Barre fret 1
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 1Barre
FDegree 1
5th String (A)
×Muted
Do not play
4th String (D)
Fret 2Finger 2
EDegree 7
3rd String (G)
Fret 2Finger 3
ADegree 3
2nd String (B)
Fret 1Barre
CDegree 5
1st String (High E)
Fret 3Finger 4
GDegree 9

Placement tip: Barre fret 1. Press: 4th String (D) at fret 2 with your Middle finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 2 with your Ring finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 3 with your Pinky finger. Don't play: 5th String (A).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Fmaj9)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets7 to 9
Fretting fingers4
Opennone
Muted6th and 1st

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Fmaj9

Listen: Fmaj9 → C · Am · Dm

  1. Fmaj9
  2. C
  3. Fmaj9
  4. Am
  5. Fmaj9
  6. Dm
Fmaj9 → C01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 5 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • finger 3: string 5, fret 3
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
Fmaj9 → Am02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 4 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 3: string 3, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
Fmaj9 → Dm03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 3 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • finger 2: string 3, fret 2
  • finger 3: string 2, fret 3
  • finger 1: string 1, fret 1

Fmaj9 in every key

Fmaj9 sits in the scale of 4 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
3/5
Highest fret
9
Frets the hand covers
3
Barre
No
Strings that ring
4/6
Fretting fingers
4

Fmaj9 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (Fmaj9)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the Fmaj9 chord?

To play the Fmaj9 chord on guitar, only 4 strings are played, from string 5 to string 2. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.

What is the root bass note of the Fmaj9 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Fmaj9 chord is its root note: F. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 5 at fret 8.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the Fmaj9 chord and what is its formula?

The Fmaj9 chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 - 7 - 9 formula (Major Seventh with Ninth). Its constituent pitches are F, A, C, E, G.

How do you prevent the Fmaj9 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the Fmaj9 chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

Study sheet · High resolution

Official Fmaj9 chord diagram

Fmaj9 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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