How to Play G9 on Ukulele

G9 is a much easier chord to play than many of the other dominant ninth chords. Three of the GCEA chord variations, and all four of the DGBE chords here, are well-suited for beginners. If you are a new ukulele player, you will find the versions with open strings particularly appealing, since they only require you to press down two or three strings. The dominant 9 chord is a great way to add a bit of jazz to your G chord.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

GCEA Ukulele G9 Chord

1. Play an easy chord. Finger the fourth fret of the G string with your index finger. Bar the fifth fret of the other strings with your middle finger.

2. Try a tougher G9 chord. Finger the second fret of the G, C and A strings with your middle, ring, and pinky finger respectively. Finger the first fret of the E string with your index finger. If it is more comfortable, switch the positions of your middle and ring fingers.

3. Play another easy chord higher up on the fretboard. Press the G string at the seventh fret with your index finger. Press the C string at the fifth fret with your middle finger. Press the E string at the sevenh fret with your ring finger. Play the A string open.

4. Try another easy chord with an open A string. Finger the tenth fret of the G and E strings with your middle and ring fingers respectively. Finger the second fret of the C string with your index finger.

DGBE Ukulele G9 Chord

5. Play an easy G9 uke chord. Finger the G string at the second fret with your middle finger, and the E string at the first fret with your index finger. Leave the other strings open.

6. Use the same fingering as the previous chord, but slide your middle finger to the fourteenth fret of the G string and your index finger to the thirteenth fret of the E string. Notice that this is the same chord as Step 1, but with two of the notes played an octave up.

7. Try another G9 with an open D string. Finger the fourth fret of the G string with your index finger. Finger the sixth fret of the B string with your ring finger. Finger the fifth fret of the E string with your middle finger.

8. Do a bar chord. Finger the ninth fret of the G string with your index finger. Bar the tenth fret of the other free strings with your middle finger.

Tips & Warnings

• Both the GCEA and DGBE uke tunings have two G9 chords with the same open strings. Switching between these chords gives you a good drone feel, since the common strings keep humming at the same pitches, while the other strings change in pitch.
• Don't feel limited to these chords. Ukuleles have many other versions of the G9 chord available. Follow the link below to explore some of the other variations.

Resources

• Ukulele Chord Generator