Ab13(#9) Guitar Chords Explained | Ab Dominant Thirteen Sharp Ninth
Welcome to our tutorial on the Ab 13(#9) chord, a complex and rich sounding chord that belongs to the Dominant Chords family. This chord, known for its unique tonality, is composed of the notes Ab, C, Eb, Gb, B, Db, and F, and is built using the intervals 1, 3, 5, b7, #9, 11, and 13.
The Ab 13(#9) chord is a great way to add some color to your chord progressions. If you're new to dominant chords, we recommend checking out our dominant (7) guitar chords tutorial for a comprehensive understanding of this chord type.
Understanding the intervals that make up the Ab 13(#9) chord is crucial for mastering it. These intervals include the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Augmented Ninth, Perfect Eleventh, and Major Thirteenth. If you need to brush up on your understanding of these musical intervals, our fretboard intervals tutorial is a great resource.
Building chords like the Ab 13(#9) involves stacking these intervals in a certain order. This process can be better understood with our guitar music theory tutorial that teaches how to build chords by stacking intervals.
In this tutorial, we will be providing chord diagrams and fretboard patterns that show the tones composing the Ab 13(#9) chord. This will help you visualize where each note is located on the fretboard. If you're unsure about how to interpret these diagrams, our chord notation tutorial can help clarify any confusion.
Remember, the Ab 13(#9) is not a beginner's chord, but don't let that discourage you. With practice and understanding, you'll be able to incorporate this chord into your playing in no time. For more advanced chords like this, check out our intermediate guitar chord tutorial.
Happy playing!
Notes of the Ab 13(#9) chord:
Tones in the Dominant Thirteen Sharp Ninth chord:
Fingerings for the Ab Dominant Thirteen Sharp Ninth guitar chord
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What makes the Ab 13(#9) chord considered 'complex'?
The Ab 13(#9) chord is complex because it contains a large number of notes (Ab, C, Eb, Gb, B, Db, F) and incorporates several advanced intervals beyond a basic triad or 7th chord. These include the augmented ninth (#9), perfect eleventh (11), and major thirteenth (13), which create a rich and dense sound.
What gives the Ab 13(#9) chord its 'unique sound' or 'unique tonality'?
Its unique tonality comes from the specific combination of intervals, particularly the presence of the minor seventh (b7), augmented ninth (#9), perfect eleventh (11), and major thirteenth (13) alongside the fundamental root, major third, and perfect fifth. The #9 interval, in particular, contributes significantly to its distinctive, colorful, and often expressive quality.
Why is the Ab 13(#9) classified as a 'Dominant Chord' family member?
The Ab 13(#9) chord is a dominant chord because its fundamental structure includes the root (Ab), major third (C), and minor seventh (Gb). These three intervals are the defining characteristics of a dominant seventh chord, which forms the basis for all dominant extensions like the 13(#9).
How do the notes Ab, C, Eb, Gb, B, Db, and F correspond to the intervals 1, 3, 5, b7, #9, 11, and 13 in the Ab 13(#9) chord?
In the Ab 13(#9) chord, each note represents a specific interval from the root (Ab): Ab is the Root (1), C is the Major Third (3), Eb is the Perfect Fifth (5), Gb is the Minor Seventh (b7), B is the Augmented Ninth (#9), Db is the Perfect Eleventh (11), and F is the Major Thirteenth (13).
Why is the Ab 13(#9) chord considered 'not a beginner's chord'?
It's not a beginner's chord because it incorporates many notes and advanced extensions (like the #9, 11, and 13) beyond basic open chords or simple triads. It requires a foundational understanding of music theory concepts like intervals, dominant chord functions, and often more demanding fingerings to execute correctly on the guitar.