Bb Dominant 9th

Bb9

Notes

Bb · D · F · Ab · C

Intervals

  • RootBb (1P)
  • Major 3rdD (3M)
  • Perfect 5thF (5P)
  • Minor 7thAb (7m)
  • Major 9thC (9M)

Fretboard

EBGDAE357912FAbBbCDCDFAbBbAbBbCDFDFAbBbCDBbCDFAbFAbBbCD

About

The B♭9 dominant ninth (B♭–D–F–A♭–C) extends a dominant 7 with a ninth. The C adds brightness and harmonic richness without affecting the chord’s dominant function — the tritone between D and A♭ is still present and still drives resolution to E♭. The 3rd and ♭7 remain essential; the 5th is routinely dropped on guitar to make room for the 9th without creating a muddy cluster. Common in funk, jazz, and blues as a more colorful version of the dominant 7. Compared to B♭7, the 9th adds shimmer and modernity; the resolution tendency is identical.

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