Ab Dominant Seventh Flat Nine Added Guitar Chord (Ab7(b9)) | Easy Ways to Play It
Welcome to this comprehensive tutorial on the Ab 7(b9) chord, a member of the Dominant Chords family. This chord, rich in complexity and depth, is composed of the notes Ab, C, Eb, Gb, and Bbb, and is built using the intervals 1, 3, 5, b7, and b9.
Understanding the Ab 7(b9) chord begins with a firm grasp of music intervals, which are the building blocks of all chords. The intervals that make up this chord are the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Minor Ninth. If you're new to the concept of music intervals, you may find our tutorial on fretboard intervals helpful.
The Ab 7(b9) chord belongs to the dominant (7) guitar chords family, which are known for their distinctive, unresolved sound. These chords are commonly used in various music genres, especially in blues and jazz. For a more in-depth study of dominant chords, check out our tutorial on dominant guitar chords.
Learning to play the Ab 7(b9) chord requires understanding its structure on the fretboard. To help you with this, we'll provide chord diagrams and fretboard patterns that highlight the tones that make up this chord. If you're interested in learning more about the theory behind building chords, our tutorial that teaches how to build chords by stacking intervals is a great resource.
Mastering the Ab 7(b9) chord will not only enrich your chord vocabulary, but also enhance your ability to create more complex music. So, grab your guitar and let's dive into the world of the Ab 7(b9) chord!
Notes in the Ab 7(b9) chord:
Formula of the Dominant Seventh Flat Nine Added chord:
Ab Dominant Seventh Flat Nine Added Guitar Chord Shapes
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You can also use this accessible chords page with written diagrams instruction.
Position 1
Movable
Position 2
Barre
Movable
Position 3
Barre
Movable
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FAQ
What are the specific notes that make up an Ab 7(b9) chord?
The Ab 7(b9) chord is composed of five notes: Ab, C, Eb, Gb, and Bbb. These notes create its distinctive sound and are derived from its specific intervallic structure.
How is the Ab 7(b9) chord constructed using intervals?
The Ab 7(b9) chord is built from its root (Ab) using the following intervals: the Root (1), Major Third (3), Perfect Fifth (5), Minor Seventh (b7), and Minor Ninth (b9). These intervals define the chord's unique harmonic character.
Why is the Ab 7(b9) chord categorized as a 'dominant' chord?
The Ab 7(b9) chord belongs to the dominant chord family because it contains a root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh (Ab, C, Eb, Gb), along with an added minor ninth (Bbb). Dominant chords are known for their distinctive, unresolved sound, which creates harmonic tension in music.
What does the '(b9)' signify in the Ab 7(b9) chord name?
The '(b9)' in Ab 7(b9) indicates that the chord includes a Minor Ninth interval. This means the ninth degree of the scale is lowered by a half step. For an Ab 7(b9) chord, this note is Bbb (double flat B).
Why is the fifth note of the Ab 7(b9) chord written as Bbb instead of A?
The note is written as Bbb to maintain theoretical consistency within the interval structure of the chord. As a minor ninth above Ab, it is theoretically Bbb, even though A is its enharmonic equivalent. This accurate naming reflects its intervallic relationship within the chord.
In what musical genres is the Ab 7(b9) chord commonly used?
The Ab 7(b9) chord, as a dominant chord, is widely used across various music genres. It is particularly prevalent in blues and jazz, where its complex and unresolved sound adds depth and color to harmonic progressions.