Guitar chord Gb13(b9) - diagrams and theory
Written with flats, Gb13(b9) (Gb thirteenth flat nine) contains Gb, Bb, Db, Fb, Abb, Cb and Eb.
It sounds identical to F#13(b9), the same chord under a different spelling. The Abb is the flat ninth and sounds like G, a half step above the root. The Gb Half-Whole scale contains every chord tone except the eleventh.
The major third Bb and the minor seventh Fb sit a tritone apart, which is the engine of every dominant chord. Counted from the root Gb, the symbol adds a flat ninth and a thirteenth to the dominant seventh.
Gb 13th with flat 9th guitar chord is also written as Gb13(b9), Gb13b9 or Gb13-9.
Gb13(b9) Chord Notes and Formula
Notes that compose the Gb 13(b9) chord:
Chord Formula:
Formula: 1 3 5 b7 b9 11 13
Same chord, different name: Gb13(b9) is also written as F#13(b9) (F# thirteenth flat nine).
Gb 13(B9) Chord Interactive Fretboard
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Chords That Go With Gb13(b9)
One key where Gb13(b9) fits is B 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 Gb Chords
Want to know how this chord is built? Read dominant chords explained, or browse all Gb guitar chords.
FAQ
What are the notes of Gb13(b9)?
Gb13(b9) is Gb, Bb, Db, Fb, Abb, Cb and Eb. It stacks a major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, flat ninth, eleventh and thirteenth on Gb.
Why is Gb13(b9) spelled with Abb?
Counting nine letters up from Gb lands on A, and the major ninth is Ab. Lowering it gives Abb, which equals G in sound but names the flat ninth correctly.
Is Gb13(b9) the same as F#13(b9)?
Yes. F#13(b9) spells the same pitches F#, A#, C#, E, G, B and D#, so they sound alike and differ only in how the notes are written.
Which scale fits Gb13(b9)?
The Gb half-whole scale includes every chord tone except the eleventh, Cb. It gives you the flat ninth along with the thirteenth, Eb.