Also written B♭madd9, B♭m add9 or B♭
B♭ minor add 9 contains B♭, D♭, F, and C. The default grip stretches the pinky to fret 3 on the A string while the index and middle share fret 1.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B♭ minor add 9 is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9. The major 2nd between B♭ and C adds the ninth color over the minor triad. Compare it to B♭ minor, which omits the C.
Use B♭ minor add 9 in place of B♭ minor for a brighter, more open minor sound in ballads and neo-soul.
The default D♭ inversion places the ♭3 in the bass, giving a darker, more ambiguous color. The C inversion, with the 9 in the bass, sounds more suspended and works well before resolving to B♭ minor.
B♭ minor add 9 is played at the 1st fret as 3 1 1 3: ring finger on the G string at fret 3, index finger on the C string at fret 1, middle finger on the E string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 3.
Tip — The pinky must reach fret 3 on the A string while the index and middle hold fret 1 on the inner strings.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 2 | F (5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 4 | C (9) |
B♭ minor add 9 is played in open position as 3 0 1 4: middle finger on the G string at fret 3, index finger on the E string at fret 1 and ring finger on the A string at fret 4. The C string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 2 | B♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (9) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 3 | D♭ (♭3) |
B♭ minor add 9 is played at the 4th fret as 5 5 6 4: middle finger on the G string at fret 5, ring finger on the C string at fret 5, pinky finger on the E string at fret 6 and index finger on the A string at fret 4.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 2 | C (9) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 3 | F (5) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 4 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 1 | D♭ (♭3) |
B♭ minor add 9 is played at the 3rd fret as 6 5 6 3: ring finger on the G string at fret 6, middle finger on the C string at fret 5, pinky finger on the E string at fret 6 and index finger on the A string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 3 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | F (5) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 4 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (9) |
B♭ minor add 9 is written B♭m add9 or B♭ minor add 9. The ASCII root is Bb. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
B♭ minor add 9 contains B♭, D♭, F, and C. B♭ minor 9 adds the ♭7 (A♭) as well. The add 9 has no seventh, so the ninth stands out more.
The default voicing is a first inversion, with the ♭3 (D♭) as the lowest note. This inversion softens the root and makes the chord less stable, useful for passing moments.