Skip to content
Chord and Fret

B9 — dominant ninth

Notes in B9: B – D# – F# – A – C#Formula: 1 – 3 – 5 – b7 – 9

In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.

The 9 is the dominant chord with the ninth. It keeps the dominant function and adds color and breadth.

The same chord on all four instruments

B9, 7 4 4 4 4 5B94311112BC#F#BD#A
Guitar
B9, 7 4 4 4 4 5B94311112BC#F#BD#A
Electric guitar
B9, 9 8 10 11B982134BD#AC#
Cavaquinho
B9, 4 3 5 4B92143BD#AC#
Ukulele

Where to use it: Blues, funk, choro and broader dominants.

Every region of the neck hides more shapes of B9. In Chord and Fret, you hear every shape strummed string by string, in each instrument's own voice; compare positions with their difficulty marked; and change the tuning — the shape rewrites itself. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. Plays offline.

See the whole neck in Chord and Fret →

Part of the Extended family.

Other chords in this family

Bmaj9Bm9Bm11B13Bmaj9(#11)B11Bmaj11Bmaj13Bm13Bm(maj9)

See all chord types and qualities →