Bb Major 9th

Bbmaj9

Notes

Bb · D · F · A · C

Intervals

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

Fretboard

EBGDAE357912FABbCDCDFABbABbCDFDFABbCDABbCDFAFABbCD

About

The B♭ major 9th (B♭–D–F–A–C) extends a maj7 with a ninth. The result combines the gentle shimmer of the major-7 interval with the openness of the C. 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 B♭Maj7, maj9 feels more expansive and less static; the added 9th breathes air into the chord without introducing tension. Compared to B♭6/9, it is more harmonically active because of the 7th.

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