How to play the F7b9 chord on guitar

The F7b9 chord, pronounced "F dominant flat ninth," is a jazzy and slightly dissonant variation of the F dominant seventh chord. It's created by adding a flattened ninth note to the basic F7 chord tones. This unique chord is often used in jazz, blues, and funk music to add tension and color to progressions, and can be heard in many classic songs.

The F7b9 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 1st fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a F7b9 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 1st (E), 2nd (B), 3rd (G), 4th (D), 5th (A), and 6th (E) strings, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd (B) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st (E) string.

To strum this chord, use a downward motion starting from the 6th (E) string and moving towards the 1st (E) string, ensuring that all strings ring out clearly.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the F7b9 chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 1st (high E) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Strum only these three strings.

Playing a barre chord version of F7b9 can be useful when you want a fuller, more resonant sound compared to the standard version of the chord.

Here's how to play an F7b9 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across the 1st fret, covering all six strings (barre).
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum from the 6th (low E) string down.

The F7b9 chord is often used to add tension and a bluesy, jazzy feel to chord progressions. It typically functions as a dominant chord, creating a sense of anticipation before resolving to the tonic. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the F7b9 chord:

• ii-V-I: Gm7 - F7b9 - BbMaj7 (Used in "Fly Me to the Moon" and "Autumn Leaves")
• I-vi-ii-V: BbMaj7 - Gm7 - Cm7 - F7b9
• iii-VI-ii-V: Dm7 - G7b9 - Cm7 - F7b9 (Used in "Take the 'A' Train")
• I-II7-ii-V: BbMaj7 - C7b9 - Cm7 - F7b9
• I-VI7-ii-V: BbMaj7 - G7b9 - Cm7 - F7b9 (Used in "All the Things You Are")

To master the F7b9 chord, try playing each note individually, focusing on clean execution and tone. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between the notes in different orders, such as F-A-C-Eb-Gb or Gb-Eb-C-A-F. This will help your fingers adapt to the chord shape and build muscle memory.

Another effective drill is to practice the chord in the context of a progression. Try incorporating F7b9 into a ii-V-I sequence or a blues progression, allowing your fingers to become accustomed to the chord change. Remember to start slowly and gradually increase your speed as you gain proficiency.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the F7b9 chord:

1. All Blues by Miles Davis (F7b9, Bb7, Eb7, Dm7, Gm7, C7)
2. Misty by Erroll Garner (Ebmaj7, G7b9, Cm7, F7b9, Bbmaj7, Eb7, Abmaj7, Db7, Fm7, Bb7, Ebmaj7)
3. Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael (Gmaj7, Em7, Am7, D7, Gmaj7, F#m7b5, B7b9, Em7, Ebdim7, Am7, D7, Gmaj7)
4. Days of Wine and Roses by Henry Mancini (F7b9, Bb7, Eb7, Abmaj7, Dm7b5, G7b9, Cm7, Gm7, C7)
5. Witch Hunt by Wayne Shorter (F7b9, Bb7, Eb7, Abmaj7, Dbmaj7, Dm7b5, G7b9, Cm7, F7)
6. Black Narcissus by Joe Henderson (Fmaj7, F7b9, Bb7, Ebmaj7, Abmaj7, Dbmaj7, Gbmaj7, B7b9, Emaj7, A7b9, Dmaj7, G7b9, Cmaj7)
7. Nica's Dream by Horace Silver (F7b9, Bb7, Eb7, Abmaj7, Dbmaj7, Cm7, F7)
8. Dolphin Dance by Herbie Hancock (Ebmaj7, Cm7, F7b9, Bb7, Ebmaj7, Abmaj7, Dbmaj7, Gbmaj7, B7#11, Emaj7)
9. Ceora by Lee Morgan (Abmaj7, Dbm7, Gb7b9, Bmaj7, Fm7, Bb7, Ebmaj7, C#m7b5, F#7b9)
10. Juju by Wayne Shorter (F7b9, Bb7, Eb7, Abmaj7, Dbmaj7, Gbmaj7, B7alt, Emaj7, A7alt, Dmaj7, G7alt, Cmaj7)