Want to add a little variety in your rhythm playing? Check out this quick little move that goes from a 6 chord (A6 in this case, but it would work anywhere ) and just by sliding it down 2 frets turns it into a 9th (A9 again in this case) chord.

Downloads – MP4 | WMV


    69 replies to "The A6 to A9 Blues Rhythm Move"

    • Pierre

      Hi Griff, When you updated your site last years a lost access to my online materiel that I had previously bought. Is the I way I could reconnected and access my data. Thank’s
      Pierre

    • Clem

      thanks, just a little more in the tool box, love it, now not to forget it…

    • Ricardo

      Pay attention to the bass.

      After establishing the A6 chord on the top strings (A C# F# A) he makes a “side note” that if the bass went down to F# on the 6th string you would have an F#m chord.

      Then In a I-vi progression you could just add your pinky to go from A to F#m.

      Then he moves the A6 down a whole step STILL thinking of A as the root (A G B E G) creating an A9 chord (1 b7 9 5 b7).

      Yes, if you moved the A6 down and considered G as the root it would be a G6.

      However, you are still playing over the A of the I chord.

      And you are leading up to and then changing to the D9 chord. It doesn’t become a D9.

    • Joe A

      Griff- your other video 6th to 7th to 9th is something I use at jams all the time!

    • CHR

      The A6 is just the C7 chord-scape moved to the high E string on the 5th fret. So your E7 played on the 5th fret is super easy to get to. And the D7 on the 3rd fret. For a D9 just bar the G B E strings and slide between 5th and 7th fret. It’s an old T-Bone Walker trick.

    • Tommy Cooper

      You used to include the tablature n these little nuggets of a lesson. Did you stop?

      • Ted Alexander

        Under the video

        • JohnnyB

          Not on my computer. The only links under the video are the video links for mp4 and WMV files.

    • Jack Flash

      very interesting

    • tony

      actually it is a, A flat minor ninth but not really why? Only play 3rd 4th and 5th strings skip the high E . It also sounds cool if the stings are played with a up stroke all 3 positions quickly going up . I am just saying this because in theory I am correct .

    • rustie

      Jazz yes…blues no!

    • Doc Frazer

      Elevator blues, eh? Well. Check out Duane Allman’s use of that same 6th Chord movement in “Stormy Monday” on “Live at the Fillmore East”.

    • Jameylynne

      I almost hear SRV’s “Empty Arms”.

    • rustie

      Blues for the department store lift

    • biily ormerod

      Sweet thanks Griff

    • Yves brunelle

      It would be interesting to have some songs exemples related to the exemples that you show us If it’s possible for sure

      • PAUL

        COOL! I LIKE PLAYING THIS AND HAVE DONE THIS. SAW IT , WOW, ABOUT A YEAR BACK?

    • Russ Eckam

      Wow, wish I would of could of met ya, took a lesson or two, yrs ago,(60yrs young LOL) you explain things, a little theory, take a little time break it down can’t help but get better. Wish you were closer.to NY east coast woukd love to watch hear you play. You make it look easy an fun. Tune it up,turn it up let’s PLAY😁. If I had to explain it you just won’t understand. Music moves the world. PEACE be with you

      • JimmyD

        He’s actually gotten MUCH closer to you…by 1500 miles. From Corona Ca. to Richardson Tx.. recently. SO….another 20 years and he’ll be stand right outside your door! ;>)

    • Mike wood

      Happy New Year Griff and family That’s interesting chords—sounds jazzy too

    • John

      “Sliding the A6 down two frets turns it into an A9”. Does this mean that a G6 is the same as an A9?. Also which four chord did you use?

      • John mann

        I think its a probably partial chord,I just learnt this version of an A9 chord, I its played using the center 4 stings only, 5sting 4fret, 4st 5fr,3st 4fr,2st 5fr. Its a moveable shape so if you slide it up 2 frets it becomes B9 but its an odd one as it doesn’t start with the root note!

      • ChrisGSP

        Hi John. You’re right about A9=G6 in this context. Recall that Griff said all chords with more than 3 notes contain “other chords” – other 3-note chords. So the A9 that Griff is playing is the notes G, B and E on the 4th, 3rd and 2nd strings respectively. In the key of A, those three notes are the 7, 9 and 5 and can hence be called A9 (without a 1 or a 3). In the key of G those same notes are the 1, 3 and 6 and can hence be called G6 (without a 5). The full chords are A9 = A, C#, E, G, B and G6 = G, B, D, E.
        The “fourth” that Griff plays is D9. Remember we are playing the blues in A so the fourth is D. And that chord = F# on the 4th string, C on the third string and E on the second string ( the first string is muted) and those notes are the 3, 7 and 9 of D and hence D9 (without a 1 or a 5).
        Cheers from ChrisG in the Great Southern Land.

        • John Brasher

          ‘So, the A6 becomes a D9 simply by virtue of sliding the A6 down two frets and muting the 1st string?

    • Michael Chappell

      Hi Griff,
      HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017 TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY as well as all the BGUers here.

      I sincerely look forward to working with you during 2017..now getting stuck into all the BGU courses that I have purchased now that I have 20/20 vision eye sight.

      I am starting again the BGU v2 and will progress along your guidelines.

      Thanks so much for making the courses and email lessons so easy to learn and follow..

      Michael-Sydney-Australia 9th Jan 2017.

    • Tracy

      Getting arthritis in left hand and having problems. Can’t thumb over neck. I like maj, minor, 7th, 6 and 9 chords. Need suggestions please.
      .

    • Tansy

      Griff,

      Thanks for all of these lessons and tips. You are such a good teacher!

    • Tom Leonard

      Nice lesson Griff…thanks! I was trying to reproduce the rhythm backing on the low E ad A strings and could not get exactly. Would you mind supplying the tabs for the backing rythmm or let me know where in your course set it is….Thanks again

      • Griff

        There’s a version of that type of lesson in Acoustic Blues Guitar Unleashed, lesson 26 or 27 I believe. There’s also a version of that lesson in the “BGU Insiders Vault” if you happen to have that.

    • Mark d.

      ThanksGriff,Your daily blogs are great. Have a prosperous 2017!

    • John Keegan

      Perfect. This is something you can do a lot with rhythm playing and it’s fun too.

    • Charlie Brown

      Happy New Year Griff! I like that move it adds flavor to the 12 bar movement

    • Gene

      Griff…Happy New Year!! I have made it to lesson 13 on BGU and started my first solo on MMG.I am a slow learner ,but I try to get it right.The up coming year will be fun and I hope I keep improving.Thank’s Gene

    • Topaz

      Hi Griff,

      Been using these sort of chords for years – learned in my danceband days in the late 50s/early 60s, never play a straight major chord if you can use a 6th, minor 6th, minor 9th or major 7th instead – amazing how much colour it adds to what is being played. The composers in the 20s/40s eras (George & Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, etc) understood the harmonic value of “the right chord in the right place” – would be a good idea if you could do a lesson applying the same concept to the blues?

      Keep up the good work, and very best wishes to you, your wife, your boys, and the guys in the band for the New Year.

    • Michael Chappell

      Hey Griff,
      This is a great tip but I think I have seen it in one of your courses, not sure which one? If not can you provide me a Tab sheet,
      Cool
      Michael- Sydney – Australia 29 Jan 2016

      • Gary Hylton

        Hey Michael,

        Check out the “52 Rhythm Fills & Variations” course it’s all there.

        I realize by now Griff may have already provided you with a tab sheet, but if not the aforementioned course is a good one!

        Old School & Still Rockin’

        • Michael Chappell

          Thks Gary, I have that course now which is very good..

          Me too, old school and still rockin..

          Michael Sydney- Australia 9th Jan 2017.

      • Denise

        Topaz,
        Great input! Love those composers/artists. My mother was a jazz singer from that era, and I learned to love that stuff as a little girl. 👍 I love those minor 6ths & 9ths, maj 7ths, 11ths, 13ths etc. Delicious chords. Can’t get enough ’em.

    • John England

      Very handy trick, that I now often use. Any more of these Griff, for say 9ths 11ths 13ths diminished and augmented chords?

    • Graeme H

      Happy new year to you and your family Griff and to your extended family of followers.

    • Mark Arnold

      I kind of stumbled on this just playing one day not sure what Steely Dan tune it is but I’m a big fan happy 2016 BGU crew !!!

    • Michael

      Tab?

    • bobby

      way tof hard for beginners

    • tony

      Oh yeah nice moves .someone hears a bit of steely dan . If you were go from the 9 cord demo here to A7 cord there is a bit of Incubus- Drive . There are some very interesting other cords Mike uses and they are, some wrist workings going on and quick moves . C-YA HAPPY 2016 .

      • Frank Dion

        Can’t go wrong with Steely Dan.

      • tony

        sorry Griffin that is a E minor .Please check it out . I use a cord book a lot and it was printed in 1965 a copy of 4400 cords by Remo guitar . So You may never see this but any one out there see this . Visited 2019 Oct. 28th. I do not want to make waves but sometimes the teacher needs help.

    • Les

      Happy New Year Griff to you and yours.
      Thank you for all the information and inspiration you share all year.

    • Mark Wales uk

      Cheers Griff
      For the video looking forward to studying with you again in 2016
      Happy new year to all BGU family

      • Mark Wales uk

        Happy new year to all looking forward to studying with you again in 2017 😀🎶

    • Gary Hylton

      Griff,

      HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

      Everyday I open my email hoping to see something from you and I pretty much do. Thanks for everything you have taught me over the past five years and your courses have been super!

      Looking forward to continuing our student/teacher relationship in 2016.

      Old School & Still Rockin’

      • Gary Hylton

        Griff,

        Ditto in 2017!

    • ken noorman

      Marry Christmas late but, and a happy New year.
      love seeing. and hearing your work. it has inspired. me
      a day. thanks again the best to you and your family.
      Thanks. Ken

    • Drake J.

      Hey Griff; I’m sorry, i said the A9 chord was the first chord in heart and Soul, I meant the A6 chord was the first !

    • Drake J.

      Happy NEW YEAR Griff ! That A-9 chord is the first chord in Heart and Soul, by Huey Lewis & The News, I figured that one out buy accident a couple years ago, nice chord ! Thanks !

    • Midnight

      I’ve seen that two-finger slide down from the seventh to the fifth fret used somewhere else too but can’t remember or figure out where. Maybe a turnaround somewhere. I’ll have to try it out.

      • Ed Tucker

        Stormy Monday Blues

    • Terry Armstronhg

      Happy New Year Griff! May we all continue to learn from you in 2016! You have given me such an opportunity, and opened doors for me to learn Blues Guitar from the best! I am disabled, and praise you for teaching me through the CD’s and your many books. What an awesome experience! Thanks so much Griff.

    • John

      Nice,great feel easy move thanks

    • Glen Fleetwood

      I heard Steely Dan there at the end!

    • Tea

      I love that move, I didn’t know what the chords were
      called. I just know they sound great. now I know what
      the they are called.
      Thanks Griff & Happy New Year”

    • Dave Scott

      New to all this but pleased I found you all and such a good teacher…. now have to start learning all the stuff I’ve bought from Griff over the past two weeks… best wishes for 2016 to you all.

    • Lego

      New Years greetings to all!

    • Colin Campbell

      Thanks Griff. I am finding endless musical opportunities with the lesson.
      I find it perfect to mix arpeggio and ‘strum’ moves.

    • Lynn

      Happy New Year

      Thanks for all your tips and lessons. I have been playing for just over a year and have bought several of your courses. I am pleased with my progress and anxious to learn more. Keep up the good work

    • Jeremy

      Very tasty little move. I’m sure there’s more to be squeezed out of it too.
      The more I play – the more I realize there’s so much inside just a few notes.
      Have a great 2016 everybody!

    • Bill Hnt

      As always some great little tid bits that are of use…
      I really have only been playing, or at least trying to since last February when I bought BGU. Your daily add ons have been a great addition to my process and are much appreciated.
      Thanks Griff

    • Paul Warner

      Happy New Year…
      Very nice little lesson
      It is always sad when we lose somebody who has built a career that we have been able to follow for years, and it does not matter whether it is blues,
      or other genders of music. Just as I felt saddened when we lost Gary Moore today we have lost Natalie Cole, the daughter of Nat king Cole, who in her own right was as talented and gifted, as any singer you would find. It seems to really sting when a talent is alive and part of our lives, and then departs suddenly as this happened today. I guess God needs a singer, of her stature, to be in his band.

    • John St. Jean

      Real nice! I can really use that. Thanks Griff

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