Ab Major 9th

Abmaj9

Notes

Ab · C · Eb · G · Bb

Intervals

  • RootAb (1P)
  • Major 3rdC (3M)
  • Perfect 5thEb (5P)
  • Major 7thG (7M)
  • Major 9thBb (9M)

Fretboard

EBGDAE357912GAbBbCEbCEbGAbBbGAbBbCEbGEbGAbBbCBbCEbGAbGAbBbCEb

About

The A♭ major 9th (A♭–C–E♭–G–B♭) extends a maj7 with a ninth. The result combines the gentle shimmer of the major-7 interval with the openness of the B♭. The 3rd, 7th, and 9th are the essential tones — the 5th is typically dropped on guitar, since it adds little harmonic information and clutters the voicing. Common in jazz and R&B as a tonic or subdominant color. Compared to A♭Maj7, maj9 feels more expansive and less static; the added 9th breathes air into the chord without introducing tension. Compared to A♭6/9, it is more harmonically active because of the 7th.

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