B9 Chord
B9 is a dominant seventh plus C sharp, the ninth. Its full spelling has five different notes, so a practical guitar or ukulele grip may leave out a less essential chord tone.
- Notes: B-D sharp-F sharp-A-C sharp
- Symbol: B9
- V9 in E major
- Seventh and ninth
B9
How to play a B9 chord
Notes: B - D# - F# - A - C#B9
Root position
B - D# - F# - A - C#1st inversion
D# - F# - A - C# - B2nd inversion
F# - A - C# - B - D#3rd inversion
A - C# - B - D# - F#
Where does B9 belong?
In E major, B9 extends the V7 chord before it resolves to the tonic.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.
- Dominant with a ninthV9
A V7 with the ninth on top: the same pull to E, a fuller sound.
EAB9V9E - Funk and blues homeI9
In funk and blues this is a home chord that never has to resolve.
B9I9E9B9F#9
Progressions to try
- EAB9E
B9 is V9 in E major; its seventh keeps the dominant pull while the ninth adds another voice.
- B9E9B9F#9
Treat the repeated B9 as a blues home chord, then hear the other ninth chords answer it.
Which shape should you use?
On guitar, start with 797879, a barre at the 7th fret.
On ukulele, start with 4354, played at the 3rd fret. 6976 gives a higher version.
On piano, spread the five-note spelling across both hands: B-D sharp-F sharp-A-C sharp. Move B up an octave to reach the first inversion, D sharp-F sharp-A-C sharp-B; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.
What are the inversions?
The first four notes, B-D sharp-F sharp-A, form the dominant seventh. C sharp adds the ninth.
- Root position: B-D sharp-F sharp-A-C sharp, with B lowest.
- First inversion: D sharp-F sharp-A-C sharp-B, written B9/D# if D sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
- Second inversion: F sharp-A-C sharp-B-D sharp, written B9/F# if F sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
- Third inversion: A-C sharp-B-D sharp-F sharp, written B9/A if A is lowest in the whole arrangement.
- Fourth inversion: C sharp-B-D sharp-F sharp-A, written B9/C# if C sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.
How does B9 differ from B7?
Remove the ninth, C sharp, and the remaining notes form B7. The seventh stays, so both chords can still pull toward the same tonic. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See B7 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.
B9
B - D# - F# - A - C#B7
B - D# - F# - A