A#9 / Bb9 Guitar Chord

A#9 (also written Bb9) is a dominant ninth chord. It stacks a major ninth on top of a dominant seventh chord and is a staple of funk and blues. Its notes are Bb, D, F, Ab and C. Below is one way to play it, with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.

Notes in A#9 / Bb9

A#9 and Bb9 are two names for the same chord. The notes below are spelled as Bb9.

NoteDegreeInterval
BbRRoot
D3Major 3rd
F5Perfect 5th
Abb7Minor 7th
C9Major 9th

Formula: 1–3–5–b7–9

A#9 / Bb9 chord shapes

Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.

  • E-shape 6fr

    Easiest
    6fr131214
    Tab (6th → 1st string)
    6 8 6 7 6 8
    Fingers
    1 3 1 2 1 4

How to play A#9 / Bb9 (easiest shape)

Shape: E-shape 6fr, tab 6 8 6 7 6 8 (6th to 1st string).

6fr131214
  1. 1Lay your index finger (1) flat across the 6th to 2nd strings at the 6th fret (a barre).
  2. 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 3rd string at the 7th fret.
  3. 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 5th string at the 8th fret.
  4. 4Put your pinky (4) on the 1st string at the 8th fret.
  5. 5Strum down from the 6th string to the 1st string.

A#9 / Bb9: common questions

What notes are in the A#9 / Bb9 chord?
A#9 and Bb9 are two names for the same chord. Spelled as Bb9, it has 5 notes: Bb, D, F, Ab and C. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–b7–9.
Is there an easier way to play A#9 / Bb9?
The easiest shape on this page is "E-shape 6fr" (6 8 6 7 6 8). Every shape on this page is a barre chord. Barre shapes are movable: keep the same hand shape and slide it along the neck to play this type of chord from other roots.

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