Ab9 Guitar Chord

Ab9 is the A flat dominant ninth chord. It has five notes: A flat, C, E flat, G flat and B flat. The main shape puts the root on the low E string at the 4th fret, with the A string muted under the index.

4fr124A♭×G♭CE♭B♭

The movable E9 shape at the 4th fret, root on the low E string. The A string stays dead under the index finger. Slide the whole grip and it becomes whatever chord the low E is naming.

How to play Ab9, step by step

  1. Index finger: press flat across the low E to B strings at fret 4
  2. Middle finger: 5th fret, G string
  3. Pinky finger: 6th fret, high E string
  4. Strum from the low E down. The A string stays muted; let the nearest fretting finger touch it lightly.

Nothing in this shape is specific to A flat. Slide it down one fret for G9 or up one for A9 and the fingers stay exactly where they are.

More ways to play Ab9

There are 2 common Ab9 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Easier, no barre
Ab9 guitar chord diagram, easier, no barre, played x 11 10 11 11 x

Tight and percussive, sitting in the middle of the neck. Easy to choke with the palm and hit again, which is why funk rhythm lives on this grip.

If the shape is not clean

The muted A string rings
Flatten the index a little so its underside rests against the A string without pressing it to the fret.
Notes under the index drop
It has to hold the low E and D strings at the 4th fret. Roll the finger onto its outer edge so the bone takes the pressure.
The chord sounds bottom heavy
A low root with a barre puts a lot of weight underneath. Strum a little closer to the neck and let the top two strings speak.

What makes it an Ab9

A♭ · C · E♭ · G♭ · B♭ 1 3 5 ♭7 9

Ab9 is an Ab7 chord with a ninth added: A flat, C, E flat and G flat make the seventh chord, and the B flat on top makes it a ninth.

It is the V chord of D flat and the I chord of a blues in A flat. A flat is a piano and horn key, so a guitarist usually meets this chord in soul, gospel and jazz material rather than in guitar based songs.

Ab9 vs Ab7

Ab9 is Ab7 with a B flat added. Both resolve toward D flat, and the ninth is the smoother of the two.

Neither chord has an open shape, so both are movable grips at the same position. Where A flat appears, the ninth is usually the sound the arrangement wants.

Ab9 chord questions

Is Ab9 the same as G#9?

Yes, one chord with two names. A flat suits the keys this chord appears in, so it is the spelling used here.

Why is the A string muted?

The shape has no room for it. The index deadens the A string while barring the low E and D at the 4th fret.

Is there an easier Ab9?

The four string shape lower down the page needs no barre. It sits at the 10th and 11th frets, which is a comfortable spot on most guitars.

Is Ab9 the same as Ab7?

No. Ab9 adds the ninth, B flat, on top of Ab7.

Where is Ab9 used?

As the V chord in D flat, as the I chord of a blues in A flat, and in soul, gospel and jazz arrangements.

Chords to learn next

Other Ab chords