How to play the Ab9 chord on guitar

The Ab9 chord, pronounced "A flat dominant ninth," is a rich and jazzy variation of the Ab dominant seventh chord. It adds a ninth note to the basic Ab7 structure, creating a complex and colorful harmony. The Ab9 is commonly used in jazz, blues, and funk music to add tension and sophistication to progressions. It's a favorite of guitarists seeking a more advanced sound.

The most common way to play the Ab9 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 4th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Ab9 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all strings on the 4th fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 6th fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd (G) string.

To strum this Ab9 chord, play all six strings together in a downward motion. Optionally, you can add upstrokes between downstrokes for a more rhythmic sound.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Ab9 chord, try playing an Ab7 chord instead. Place your index finger on the 4th fret of the 4th (D) string, your middle finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd (G) string, and your ring finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd (B) string.

Playing the Ab9 chord as a barre chord can make it easier to switch between chords quickly and smoothly, especially when playing with other barre chords.

Here's how to play an Ab9 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across all strings on the 4th fret, forming a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 6th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 6th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum all six strings from low to high.

The Ab9 chord is often used to add a jazzy, sophisticated, or dreamy feel to chord progressions. It can provide a sense of tension and resolution when used in the following common progressions:

• I - vi - ii - V7 (Ab - Fm - Bbm - Eb7) - Used in "The Girl from Ipanema" and "Fly Me to the Moon"
• ii - V7 - I - vi (Bbm - Eb7 - Ab - Fm) - Used in "Autumn Leaves" and "My Funny Valentine"
• I - IV - vii° - iii (Ab - Db - G°7 - Cm)
• iii - vi - ii - V7 (Cm - Fm - Bbm - Eb7)
• I - vi - IV - V7 (Ab - Fm - Db - Eb7) - Used in "Misty" and "The Way You Look Tonight"

To master the Ab9 chord, try playing each note individually, focusing on clean execution. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between the Ab9 and other chords you know, striving for smooth, precise changes.

Another effective drill is to arpeggiate the chord, playing each note in sequence. This helps develop finger independence and muscle memory. Experiment with different rhythmic patterns and tempos to keep things interesting and challenging.

Here are 4 popular songs you can play with the Ab9 chord.

1. Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder (Chords: B, D7, E, F#, Ab9, Bb7)
2. I Wish by Stevie Wonder (Chords: Ab9, Bb7, Cm7, Dm7, Eb, Fm7, Gm7)
3. Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder (Chords: Ab9, Cm7, Dm7, Eb, Fm7)
4. Living for the City by Stevie Wonder (Chords: Ab9, Bb7, Cm7, Dm7, Eb, Fm7, Gm7)