Ab9 Chord (Ab dominant 9th) on Guitar
Ab9 (Ab dominant 9th) is made of the notes Ab – C – Eb – Gb – Bb. The easiest guitar fingering is 411112 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
Higher position
How to play Ab9
- Press the 6th string (low E) at fret 4 (Ab).
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 1 (Bb).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 1 (Eb).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 1 (Ab).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 1 (C).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 2 (Gb).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | 4 | Ab | R |
| 5th string (A) | 1 | Bb | 9 |
| 4th string (D) | 1 | Eb | 5 |
| 3rd string (G) | 1 | Ab | R |
| 2nd string (B) | 1 | C | 3 |
| 1st string (high e) | 2 | Gb | b7 |
What is a Ab dominant 9th chord?
A dominant 9th chord stacks a major ninth on top of a dominant 7th chord. It contains root, major third, (fifth), minor seventh and ninth.
Notes and formula. Ab9 contains Ab, C, Eb, Gb, Bb. Counted from the root Ab, that is R (root), 3 (major 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th), b7 (minor 7th), 9 (major 9th). It is also written G#9; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
Sound. Funky, jazzy and rich. It is a dominant 7th with extra colour.
Where it is used. Core chord in funk, soul, blues and jazz, such as the classic "James Brown" style stabs.
Tips for playing Ab9
You usually skip the fifth to keep the shape playable. Mute strings you do not need with the side of your fingers.
Common mistake: Strumming all six strings. 9th chords sound tighter when you play only the strings in the shape.
Scales to play over Ab9
Related chords
Ab9 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Ab9 chord?
Ab9 (Ab dominant 9th) contains the notes Ab, C, Eb, Gb, Bb. The formula is R–3–5–b7–9 relative to the root Ab.
How do you play Ab9 on guitar?
The most common shape for Ab9 is 411112, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Ab9 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Ab9 the same as G#9?
Yes. Ab and G# are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so Ab9 and G#9 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
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