Ab Dominant Ninth (Ab9) chords on guitar
Today, we'll delve into the intricacies of the Ab 9 chord, a fascinating member of the Dominant Chords family. This chord is a rich tapestry of notes, including Ab, C, Eb, Gb, and Bb. The intervals that construct this chord are 1, 3, 5, b7, and 9, each contributing a unique flavor to the overall sound.
Understanding the music intervals is key to mastering this chord. The full names of these intervals range from the Root (1), through the Major Third (3), the Perfect Fifth (5), the Minor Seventh (b7), and the Major Ninth (9). For a deeper dive into the world of intervals, you can check out this tutorial about fretboard intervals.
The Ab 9 chord is a perfect example of how chords are built by stacking intervals, a concept explained in detail in this tutorial on building chords. As you'll see in our tutorial, the way these intervals are layered creates the unique tonal qualities of each chord.
As part of the Dominant Chords family, the Ab 9 chord plays a crucial role in many musical compositions. For a comprehensive understanding of Dominant Chords, you can refer to this tutorial about dominant (7) guitar chords.
Our tutorial will guide you through playing the Ab 9 chord with chord diagrams and fretboard patterns, showcasing the tones that compose this chord. If you're interested in exploring more advanced chords, check out this tutorial on intermediate guitar chords.
Learning the Ab 9 chord is a step forward in your guitar journey and will open up new possibilities for your playing. Stay tuned for a detailed guide on how to play this chord, its variations, and how to incorporate it into your music.
Notes that compose the Ab 9 chord:
Chord Structure:
Fingerings for the Ab Dominant Ninth guitar chord
Chord boxes are sorted from the easiest to the hardest. Learn how to read chord diagrams.
If you have difficulties with bar chord shapes, check the Bar Chords Tips tutorial.
You can also use this accessible chords page with written diagrams instruction.
Position 1
Movable
Position 2
Movable
Position 3
Movable
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FAQ
What notes are in an Ab 9 guitar chord?
The Ab 9 chord is composed of five distinct notes: Ab (the root), C (the major third), Eb (the perfect fifth), Gb (the minor seventh), and Bb (the major ninth). This combination creates its unique sound.
Which intervals are found in the Ab 9 chord?
The Ab 9 chord is constructed using five specific intervals relative to its root (Ab). These are the Root (1), Major Third (3), Perfect Fifth (5), Minor Seventh (b7), and Major Ninth (9).
What does it mean for the Ab 9 to be part of the "Dominant Chords" family?
Being part of the 'Dominant Chords' family means the Ab 9 chord plays a specific, crucial role in many musical compositions. Chords in this family often create a sense of movement or tension due to their characteristic interval structure, which includes a root, major third, and minor seventh, with the Ab 9 extending this further with a major ninth.
How does knowing the intervals help a guitarist master the Ab 9 chord?
Understanding the intervals (1, 3, 5, b7, 9) is key because it helps you grasp the underlying structure of the Ab 9 chord. Instead of just memorizing a shape, you'll know *why* specific notes (Ab, C, Eb, Gb, Bb) are played, allowing you to build the chord across the fretboard and apply this knowledge to other chords.
What does "chords are built by stacking intervals" mean for the Ab 9?
For the Ab 9 chord, 'stacking intervals' means starting with the root note (Ab) and then adding subsequent notes (C, Eb, Gb, Bb) by applying their specific interval distances above that root. This method systematically constructs the chord, adding the Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Major Ninth in order.
What is the significance of the "9" in the Ab 9 chord name?
The "9" in "Ab 9" specifically indicates that the Major Ninth interval (Bb) is included in the chord, in addition to the root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh. This extended interval adds a distinct, richer quality to the chord's sound compared to a simple Ab7.