B9 chord (B dominant ninth) on guitar
B9 (B dominant ninth) has five notes: B, D sharp, F sharp, A and C sharp. Its formula is 1, 3, 5, b7, 9. In major keys, B9 is the V9 chord in E major.
B9 chord shapes
Fingers: 2 on A, 1 on D, 3 on G, 4 on B.
Finger 1 barres fret 6, then 2 on E, 3 on D, 4 on B, 4 on e.
Finger 1 barres fret 4, then 4 on E, 2 on e.
Finger 1 barres fret 4, then 4 on E, 3 on G, 2 on e.
Finger 1 barres fret 7, then 3 on A, 2 on G, 4 on e.
Fingers: 3 on E, 1 on A, 4 on D, 2 on G.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | B9 |
|---|---|
| Also written | Bdom9 |
| Notes | B D# F# A C# |
| Formula | 1 3 5 b7 9 |
| Intervals | root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major second |
| Type | Dominant ninth chord |
B9 across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 2 F# (5), fret 5 A (flat 7), fret 7 B (1), fret 9 C# (9), fret 11 D# (3), fret 14 F# (5), fret 17 A (flat 7), fret 19 B (1), fret 21 C# (9), fret 23 D# (3).
- A string: fret 0 A (flat 7), fret 2 B (1), fret 4 C# (9), fret 6 D# (3), fret 9 F# (5), fret 12 A (flat 7), fret 14 B (1), fret 16 C# (9), fret 18 D# (3), fret 21 F# (5), fret 24 A (flat 7).
- D string: fret 1 D# (3), fret 4 F# (5), fret 7 A (flat 7), fret 9 B (1), fret 11 C# (9), fret 13 D# (3), fret 16 F# (5), fret 19 A (flat 7), fret 21 B (1), fret 23 C# (9).
- G string: fret 2 A (flat 7), fret 4 B (1), fret 6 C# (9), fret 8 D# (3), fret 11 F# (5), fret 14 A (flat 7), fret 16 B (1), fret 18 C# (9), fret 20 D# (3), fret 23 F# (5).
- B string: fret 0 B (1), fret 2 C# (9), fret 4 D# (3), fret 7 F# (5), fret 10 A (flat 7), fret 12 B (1), fret 14 C# (9), fret 16 D# (3), fret 19 F# (5), fret 22 A (flat 7), fret 24 B (1).
- e string: fret 2 F# (5), fret 5 A (flat 7), fret 7 B (1), fret 9 C# (9), fret 11 D# (3), fret 14 F# (5), fret 17 A (flat 7), fret 19 B (1), fret 21 C# (9), fret 23 D# (3).
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Questions
What notes are in the B9 chord?
B9 (B dominant ninth) has five notes: B, D sharp, F sharp, A and C sharp. Its formula is 1, 3, 5, b7, 9. B is the root, D# is the major third, F# is the perfect fifth, A is the minor seventh and C# is the major second.
How do you play B9 on guitar?
The easiest shape is x2122x. Fingers: 2 on A, 1 on D, 3 on G, 4 on B.
What key is B9 in?
In major keys, B9 is the V9 chord in E major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between B9 and B7?
B9 is B7 (B, D#, F# and A) with C#, the 9th, added.