Most folks know the 7#9 chord from Hendrix’s famous song, Purple Haze, but if you don’t already know it, here it is…

Likewise, if you do already know this chord, maybe I can hip you to a couple of other ways to use it in other blues songs and chord progressions.

Enjoy and remember to substitute responsibly 🙂


    29 replies to "The “Hendrix” Chord"

    • Steve Dunlap

      Used in Frank Marino’s I’m a King Bee and Motley Crue’s Dr. Feelgood.

    • Guitar Mark

      Used a lot in Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf…a Motorcyclist trying to shift gears and having trouble in the instrumental part….like an Old Harley and the clutch wearing out, but youre never going to sell that bike!!!

    • Mard

      Also on “Speak To Me/Breathe” from “Dark Side of the Moon”. Like Mastercard, it’s everywhere you wanna be.

    • S

      A lot of blues/rock guys, right. Women don’t play the guitar.

    • Bob Staples

      Thanks. Is another tool in my tool needing toolbox.

    • Michael+J+McRae

      Check out Outside Woman Blues by Cream!

    • Rusty

      I use this instead of the E7 with Mary Had a Little Lamb SRV version.

    • Bill Moriarty

      Harrison used this in Taxman, alternation between D7 (3rd position) and D7#9 during the verses.

    • Vic+Soboleski

      Just noticed /realized 
if you think of it in C.A.G.E.D. terms this would be the open B7 moved up fretboard 
more or less ,right ?

      • Kevin

        It is the same shape as any 7(Dom 7) chord routed on the 5th string. It is an omit 5 version. The exact chord played here has the #9 added to the shape.

    • Bill S.

      Also used in the Beatles “I Saw Her Standing There”. Great comments. Informative vid. Thank you, Griff

    • Darryl Manire

      Jazzy man you jazzed me man,ha..

    • Thomas Guitarman

      Love this chord I use it all over the place and with related chords as well

    • Martin Lindsay

      Oh, you mean the “Billy Butler chord” from Doggett’s “Hold It”! 😊

    • Scott Hammond

      Hey Griff – I missed this lesson & just came upon it this morning while looking back. I didn’t realize the chord was the “Hendrix” chord. I first learned it from the Allman’s “Who to Believe” off their 2003 Hittin’ The Note album. And then while learning James Gang Funk 49. It took awhile to get my fingers to remember the position but am glad to have it in the arsenal. It’s a great one. Thanks for pinning the name to it as well as all your invaluable help with playing.

    • Alex J Mowatt

      Thank you Griff for explaining this Chord so that it sounds like something we could all try out. Hendrix of course was a master of the guitar and in some peoples minds a pioneer. I still listen to his music at least once a week – usually fairly loudly too.
      Any description of a chord that doesn’t arise in a playing session is good to be reminded about. You are the man right enough Griff; that is obvious when I see your followers comments.

    • Jack Flash

      VERY INTERESTING

    • DaveyJoe

      Cool stuff Griff! Thanks!

    • Chris Hurst

      Used a few years before by George Harrison in Taxman 😊

      • Bill

        Indeed!

    • kim

      How many favorite chords does Griff have? I lost count (ha ha).

    • Jeff Hershberger

      Broke the Suhr out, nice.

    • Paul

      hey Griff, I like this chord and use it when I can. I often use it where I would play the 9th chord. With the #9 and the 9 intervals 1/2 step apart can I use a diminished scale to solo over the Hendrix chord?

    • Dan

      Cool I always liked Hendrix. Off the subject I heard your song someone on BB King’s Bluesville Yesterday A good surprise

    • Nevin

      Very nice, i love starting my day with you.

      Nevin in New York

    • john d

      It is a great way to add “tension”. Your gig-in-a-box version of Deep Ellum Blues uses this chord in a way I really like. My classically trained wife hates it. Wrong sort of tension, perhaps? Such is life.

    • Dudley Gibbs

      Brilliant lesson Griff…..love a bit of Hendrix and the 7#9…

      I`ll certainly be working on that.

      Thanks

      Dud (London)

    • Mark allen

      Hi griff still here cool vid been doing some Hendrix material with my teacher always drop back to a little blues at the end of a lesson do like the theory dropped in with it been with u a few years now still enjoy everything cheers all best regards mark

    • Mark d

      Thanks griff another fine piece!

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