Ab9 chord (A flat dominant ninth) on guitar
Ab9 (A flat dominant ninth) has five notes: A flat, C, E flat, G flat and B flat. Its formula is 1, 3, 5, b7, 9. In major keys, Ab9 is the V9 chord in Db major.
Ab9 chord shapes
Finger 1 barres fret 3, then 2 on E, 3 on D, 4 on B, 4 on e.
Finger 1 barres fret 1, then 4 on E, 2 on e.
Finger 1 barres fret 1, then 4 on E, 3 on G, 2 on e.
Finger 1 barres fret 4, then 3 on A, 2 on G, 4 on e.
Fingers: 2 on D, 1 on G, 4 on B, 3 on e.
Fingers: 2 on A, 1 on D, 3 on G, 4 on B.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | Ab9 |
|---|---|
| Also written | Abdom9 |
| Notes | Ab C Eb Gb Bb |
| Formula | 1 3 5 b7 9 |
| Intervals | root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major second |
| Type | Dominant ninth chord |
Ab9 across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 2 Gb (flat 7), fret 4 Ab (1), fret 6 Bb (9), fret 8 C (3), fret 11 Eb (5), fret 14 Gb (flat 7), fret 16 Ab (1), fret 18 Bb (9), fret 20 C (3), fret 23 Eb (5).
- A string: fret 1 Bb (9), fret 3 C (3), fret 6 Eb (5), fret 9 Gb (flat 7), fret 11 Ab (1), fret 13 Bb (9), fret 15 C (3), fret 18 Eb (5), fret 21 Gb (flat 7), fret 23 Ab (1).
- D string: fret 1 Eb (5), fret 4 Gb (flat 7), fret 6 Ab (1), fret 8 Bb (9), fret 10 C (3), fret 13 Eb (5), fret 16 Gb (flat 7), fret 18 Ab (1), fret 20 Bb (9), fret 22 C (3).
- G string: fret 1 Ab (1), fret 3 Bb (9), fret 5 C (3), fret 8 Eb (5), fret 11 Gb (flat 7), fret 13 Ab (1), fret 15 Bb (9), fret 17 C (3), fret 20 Eb (5), fret 23 Gb (flat 7).
- B string: fret 1 C (3), fret 4 Eb (5), fret 7 Gb (flat 7), fret 9 Ab (1), fret 11 Bb (9), fret 13 C (3), fret 16 Eb (5), fret 19 Gb (flat 7), fret 21 Ab (1), fret 23 Bb (9).
- e string: fret 2 Gb (flat 7), fret 4 Ab (1), fret 6 Bb (9), fret 8 C (3), fret 11 Eb (5), fret 14 Gb (flat 7), fret 16 Ab (1), fret 18 Bb (9), fret 20 C (3), fret 23 Eb (5).
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Questions
What notes are in the Ab9 chord?
Ab9 (A flat dominant ninth) has five notes: A flat, C, E flat, G flat and B flat. Its formula is 1, 3, 5, b7, 9. Ab is the root, C is the major third, Eb is the perfect fifth, Gb is the minor seventh and Bb is the major second.
How do you play Ab9 on guitar?
The easiest shape is 434344. Finger 1 barres fret 3, then 2 on E, 3 on D, 4 on B, 4 on e.
What key is Ab9 in?
In major keys, Ab9 is the V9 chord in Db major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between Ab9 and Ab7?
Ab9 is Ab7 (Ab, C, Eb and Gb) with Bb, the 9th, added.