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Chord chart for A dominant 7th flat 9th / B♭ (4th inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

A7♭9/B♭ guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 53 playable shapes

A dominant 7th flat 9th / B♭ (4th inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions
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About the chord

A dominant 7th flat 9th / B♭ (4th inversion)

A7♭9/B♭ is the A dominant 7th flat 9th / B♭ (4th inversion) guitar chord with B♭ in the bass. It uses the notes A, C♯, E, G, and B♭ and the interval formula 1-3-5-♭7-♭9.

The A dominant 7th flat 9th dominant 7th flat 9th chord adds a flat ninth B♭ to the dominant 7th, enhancing its dissonance and harmonic tension. This exotic, unresolved color is popular in jazz and classical cadences for creating dramatic resolutions. With B♭ in the bass, this voicing functions as the 4th inversion of A dominant 7th flat 9th.

Also written as A7♭9, Adom7♭9/B♭, and A7(♭9)/B♭.

Root note: A
Bass note: B♭
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 53

Chord tones

AC♯EGB♭

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape 1

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  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, and 4th string in barre position.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string.
  4. 4 Strum from the 5th string down.

Shape 2

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  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string, 2nd string, and 4th string in barre position.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 6th string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string.
  4. 4 Strum from the 6th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

A Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

C♯ Major Third 3

This note defines the chord's major quality and brings brightness to the sound.

E Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

G Minor Seventh ♭7

The minor seventh adds bluesy or jazzy tension that wants to move onward.

B♭ Minor Ninth ♭9

The flat ninth adds sharper tension and a more dramatic clash.

Quick answers

What notes are in A7♭9/B♭?

A7♭9/B♭ uses the notes A, C♯, E, G, and B♭. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-♭7-♭9.

What is another name for A7♭9/B♭?

A7♭9/B♭ is also written as A7♭9, Adom7♭9/B♭, and A7(♭9)/B♭.

How do you play A7♭9/B♭ on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, and 4th string in barre position. Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string. Strum from the 5th string down.

Related Articles

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