Ab9 Guitar Chord | Play, Hear and Practice Interactively
Did you mean A ninth, without the flat? Go to A9.
Ab, C, Eb, Gb and Bb spell the Ab9 chord, or Ab dominant ninth. Bb is the ninth, a whole step above the root, and Gb is the flat seventh.
The page holds three voicings, none with open strings or barres, and they begin at the 3rd fret. The same sound goes by G#9, though the flat spelling is more natural in flat keys. Take a look at how jazz progressions use dominants to hear dominants like this in context, then solo with the Ab Mixolydian scale.
The player labels each note of the shape on the fretboard.
Ab dominant 9th guitar chord is also written as Ab9, Abdom9, Ab7(9) or Ab7add9.
Ab9 Chord Notes and Formula
Notes that compose the Ab 9 chord:
Chord Structure:
Formula: 1 3 5 b7 9
Same chord, different name: Ab9 is also written as G#9 (G# dominant ninth).
Ab9 Chord Interactive Fretboard
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Ab9 Guitar Chord Diagrams
Position 1 Movable
Ab Dominant Ninth Finger Positions
- Mute the low E string
- Mute the high E string
- Place your index finger (1) on the fret 10 of the D string
- Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 11 of the A string
- Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 11 of the G string
- Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 11 of the B string
Position 2 Movable Slash Chord
Ab/Gb Dominant Ninth Finger Positions
- Mute the low E string
- Mute the A string
- Place your index finger (1) on the fret 3 of the G string
- Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 4 of the D string
- Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 4 of the B string
- Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 4 of the high E string
The lowest note is Gb, not the root, so this voicing is the slash chord Ab9/Gb.
Position 3 Movable Slash Chord
Ab/C Dominant Ninth Finger Positions
- Mute the low E string
- Mute the high E string
- Place your index finger (1) on the fret 3 of the A string
- Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 3 of the G string
- Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 4 of the D string
- Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 4 of the B string
The lowest note is C, not the root, so this voicing is the slash chord Ab9/C.
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Chords That Go With Ab9
One key where Ab9 fits is Db major, where it works as the V chord. These are the main chords of that key, the ones you will often hear around it:
See every key in the guitar keys chart, or build a progression with these chords in the chord progression generator.
More Ab Chords
Want to know how this chord is built? Read ninth and add9 chords explained, or browse all Ab guitar chords.
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What notes are in Ab9?
Ab9 is Ab, C, Eb, Gb and Bb. It is an Ab dominant seventh chord with a Bb, the major ninth, added.
What does the 9 add to Ab dominant ninth?
It adds Bb, a major ninth over Ab. This is the same pitch name as the second degree, but placed an octave higher, which gives the chord more color.
Is Ab9 the same as G#9?
Yes. G#9 spells the same pitches as G#, B#, D#, F# and A#. Ab9 is easier to read because it needs no B#.
Which scale can I solo with over Ab9?
Ab Mixolydian is Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F and Gb. Every chord note belongs to it, and the Bb is the ninth.
How many Ab9 voicings are there?
There are 3 voicings, from fret 3 to fret 11. None is a barre voicing and none uses an open string.
