How to play the Eb7b9 chord on guitar

The Eb7b9 chord, pronounced "E flat seven flat nine", is a jazzy and slightly dissonant variation of the Eb7 chord. It's created by adding a flattened ninth note to the dominant seventh chord, giving it a distinctive tension. This chord is commonly used in jazz, blues, and funk music to add color and sophistication to progressions and is a favorite of adventurous guitarists.

The most common way to play an Eb7b9 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 6th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play an Eb7b9 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 6th fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, play all six strings together in a downward motion with your pick or thumb.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Eb7b9 chord, try playing it as a power chord. Place your index finger on the 6th fret of the 6th (low E) string and your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string. Strum only these two strings.

The Eb7b9 chord is most commonly played as an open chord, but learning the barre chord version can be useful for transitioning to other chords or playing in different positions on the neck.

Here's how to play an Eb7b9 barre chord:

1. Barre your index finger across the 6th fret, covering all six strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum all six strings from low to high.

The Eb7b9 chord brings a haunting, jazzy flavor to chord progressions, creating an atmosphere of tension and intrigue. Some common progressions featuring this chord include:

• i - bVI7b9 - i (Cm - Eb7b9 - Cm)
• i - bVI7b9 - ii7 - V7 (Cm - Eb7b9 - Dm7 - G7)
• i - iv - bVI7b9 - V7 (Cm - Fm - Eb7b9 - G7)
• ii7 - V7 - i - bVI7b9 (Dm7 - G7 - Cm - Eb7b9)
• bVI7b9 - V7 - i (Eb7b9 - G7 - Cm) Used in "Summertime" and "Cry Me a River"

To master the Eb7b9 guitar chord, start by practicing the chord shape slowly and consistently. Focus on cleanly fretting each note and switching between Eb7b9 and other chords you know. Strive for precise finger placement and a clear, ringing sound.

Next, try playing Eb7b9 in different musical contexts. Incorporate it into chord progressions, riffs, or songs featuring dominant 7th chords with a flatted 9th. Explore various rhythms, strumming patterns, and fingerpicking techniques to make the chord sound interesting and dynamic. The more you use Eb7b9 musically, the more comfortable you'll become with its unique flavor.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Eb7b9 chord.

1. The Girl from Ipanema by Stan Getz & João Gilberto (Fmaj7, G7, Gm7, Gb7)
2. Desafinado by Stan Getz & João Gilberto (Fmaj7, G7, Gm7, Gb7)
3. Ornithology by Charlie Parker (F7, Bb7, Eb7, Am7, D7, Gm7, C7)
4. Stablemates by Benny Golson (Cm7, F7, Dm7, G7, C7, Fm7, Bb7, Ebmaj7, Abmaj7)
5. Easy Living by Billie Holiday (Cm7, F7, Bbm7, Eb7, Abmaj7, Dm7, G7)
6. Donna Lee by Charlie Parker (Dm7, G7, Cm7, F7, Bb7, Ebmaj7, Am7b5, D7b9)
7. All The Things You Are by Jerome Kern (Fmaj7, Em7, Ebm7, Dm7, Db7, Cm7, Bm7, Bbm7, Am7)
8. Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma (Am7, D7, Gmaj7, Cmaj7, Fmaj7, Bm7b5, E7, Em7)
9. Cherokee by Ray Noble (Ebmaj7, C7, Fmaj7, Dm7, Cm7, F7, Bb7, Am7, Abm7, Db7)
10. A Night In Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie (Ebm7, Gb7, Fm7, Bb7, Eb7, Abmaj7, Dm7b5, G7b9)