B Major Ninth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio in Open A tuning — fretboard diagram
B Major Ninth in Open A — Notes and Intervals
Notes: B, D#, F#, A#, C#
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Tuning: Open A (E-A-E-A-C#-E)
Also known as: maj9, Δ9, ^9
The B Major Ninth arpeggio contains 5 notes (B, D#, F#, A#, C#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on 6-string guitar — Open A with different tunings and fret ranges.
About Open A Tuning
Open A tuning (E-A-E-A-C#-E) produces an A major chord when strummed open. It is structurally identical to Open G tuned up one whole step, delivering a brighter, more tense sound that works particularly well for slide guitar centered on the key of A.
Jimmy Page used Open A with a slide on Led Zeppelin's 'In My Time of Dying' from Physical Graffiti (1975). Rory Gallagher also employed Open A for his raw, energetic slide work. Many players achieve Open A by simply placing a capo at the 2nd fret in Open G tuning, which is why dedicated Open A usage is less commonly discussed. However, without a capo, Open A gives direct access to the open A string resonance and a different feel under the fingers due to the higher tension.
Notable artists: Jimmy Page, Rory Gallagher, Delta blues players
Best for: Slide guitar in the key of A, blues playing, and situations where you need the brightness of Open G tuned up without a capo
Explore This Arpeggio in Other Tunings
- B Major Ninth in Standard Tuning
- B Major Ninth in Drop D
- B Major Ninth in DADGAD
- B Major Ninth in Open G
- B Major Ninth in Baritone (B Standard)
- B Major Ninth in 7-string
- B Major Ninth in 8-string
- B Major Ninth in Drop C
- B Major Ninth in Drop B
- B Major Ninth in Open D
- B Major Ninth in Half Step Down
- B Major Ninth in Open E
- B Major Ninth in Double Drop D
- B Major Ninth in Open C