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B♭ 9th chord on guitar (B♭9)
Also called or written B♭9 or B♭
B♭ 9th is built from B♭, D, F, A♭ and C. This open position shape is advanced because it requires a clean mute on the low E string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, ♭7, 9
- Root positionB♭–D–F–A♭–CB♭9×-1-0-1-1-1
- First inversionD–F–A♭–C–B♭B♭9/D×-5-6-5-6-6
- Second inversionF–A♭–C–B♭–DB♭9/F1-1-0-1-1-×
- Third inversionA♭–C–B♭–D–FB♭9/A♭4-3-3-3-3-4
- Fourth inversionC–B♭–D–F–A♭B♭9/C×-3-3-3-3-4
How do you play a B♭ 9th chord on guitar?
B♭ 9th is played in open position as × 1 0 1 1 1: index finger on the A string at fret 1, middle finger on the G string at fret 1, ring finger on the B string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 1. The D string rings open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (1) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (3) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 2 | A♭ (♭7) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 3 | C (2) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 4 | F (5) |
AdvancedThe open position requires muting the low E string while fretting four notes with separate fingers, which can cause accidental string noise.
5th fret
B♭ 9th is played at the 5th fret as 6 5 6 5 6 ×: barre your index finger across fret 5, middle finger on the low E string at fret 6, ring finger on the D string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 6. The high e string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6 | 2 | B♭ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 1 (barre) | D (3) |
| 4 (D) | 6 | 3 | A♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 5 | 1 (barre) | C (2) |
| 2 (B) | 6 | 4 | F (5) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
6th fret
B♭ 9th is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 6 7 6 8: barre your index finger across fret 6, ring finger on the A string at fret 8, middle finger on the G string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 8 | 3 | F (5) |
| 4 (D) | 6 | 1 (barre) | A♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 7 | 2 | D (3) |
| 2 (B) | 6 | 1 (barre) | F (5) |
| 1 (e) | 8 | 4 | C (2) |
B♭9/D inversion · fret 5
B♭ 9th is played at the 5th fret as × 5 6 5 6 6: barre your index finger across fret 5, middle finger on the D string at fret 6, ring finger on the B string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 6. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 1 (barre) | D (3) |
| 4 (D) | 6 | 2 | A♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 5 | 1 (barre) | C (2) |
| 2 (B) | 6 | 3 | F (5) |
| 1 (e) | 6 | 4 | B♭ (1) |
B♭9/D inversion · fret 8
B♭ 9th is played at the 8th fret as 10 8 8 10 9 8: barre your index finger across fret 8, ring finger on the low E string at fret 10, pinky finger on the G string at fret 10 and middle finger on the B string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10 | 3 | D (3) |
| 5 (A) | 8 | 1 (barre) | F (5) |
| 4 (D) | 8 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 10 | 4 | F (5) |
| 2 (B) | 9 | 2 | A♭ (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 8 | 1 (barre) | C (2) |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ 9th combines a B♭ major triad (1, 3, 5) with a minor seventh and a major ninth: 1, 3, 5, ♭7, 9. The added ninth C creates a jazzy tension against the ♭7 A♭. Compare it with B♭ 7th, which lacks the ninth.
What goes wrong with B♭ 9th?
- Letting the low E string ring open, adding an E that is not in the chord.
- Flattening the index finger so it touches the open D string and deadens it.
- Not pressing the pinky firmly on the high e string, causing a buzz at fret 1.
When to use it
B♭ 9th functions as the dominant in E♭ major, appearing in progressions like E♭–A♭–B♭–E♭ (I–IV–V–I). It fits jazz, funk and R&B grooves. Compare it with B♭ major to hear how the seventh and ninth add tension.
Changing to and from B♭ 9th
- Move to B♭ major by lifting the pinky and ring finger to leave the high e string open.
Which voicing to use
The open position voicing is the most practical, with B♭ in the bass. Higher fret voicings at the 5th and 6th frets offer a brighter, more compact sound for ensemble playing.
Other B♭ chords
Common questions
How is B♭ 9th written?
B♭ 9th is written as B♭9 or Bb9. The symbol B♭9 always means a dominant ninth chord with a minor seventh and a major ninth. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between B♭ 9th and B♭ add 9?
B♭ 9th includes the minor seventh A♭, while B♭ add 9 is a B♭ major triad with the ninth C added and no seventh. The add 9 sounds more consonant and less bluesy.
Why is the low E string muted in the open position?
B♭ remains a supplied chord tone; mute it only to preserve the displayed bass order. Letting it ring would add an unwanted note that clashes with the harmony.