B9 Guitar Chord

B9 is the B dominant ninth chord. It has five notes on paper: B, D sharp, F sharp, A and C sharp. The standard shape uses four strings and leaves out the F sharp, the fifth.

2134×BD♯AC♯×

Root on the A string at the 2nd fret, no barre. Four strings carrying the root, third, flat seventh and ninth; the fifth is left out, which no ear misses in a ninth chord.

How to play B9, step by step

  1. Index finger: 1st fret, D string
  2. Middle finger: 2nd fret, A string
  3. Ring finger: 2nd fret, G string
  4. Pinky finger: 2nd fret, B string
  5. Strum only the A and D and G and B strings, and stop the downstroke at the B.

This is the same four string grip as C9 one fret lower. Learn it once and it covers every dominant ninth on the neck.

More ways to play B9

There are 2 common B9 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.

Barre at fret 7
B9 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 7, played 7x7879

Full and low, with the ninth ringing on the top string over a heavy root. This is the shape that sounds like a horn section.

If it sounds unclear

The 1st fret note buzzes
The index holds the D string at the 1st fret, where the strings are stiffest. Press firmly and stay right behind the fret.
The low E rings
It is not in the shape and it undercuts the root. Mute it with the index fingertip or start the strum at the A string.
The high E rings
Four strings only. Let the pinky rest against the high E and stop the strum at the B.

What makes it a B9

B · D♯ · F♯ · A · C♯ 1 3 5 ♭7 9

B9 is a B7 chord with a ninth added: B, D sharp, F sharp and A make B7, and the C sharp makes it B9. This shape keeps the root, third, flat seventh and ninth and drops the fifth.

It is the V chord of E and the I chord of a blues in B. In the key of E, where so much blues and rock sits, B9 is the smoother alternative to the B7 everyone learns first.

B9 vs B7

B9 is B7 with a C sharp added. Both push toward E, but B7 sounds raw and B9 sounds polished.

B7 has the advantage of an easy open shape with no barre. B9 needs four fingers at the 1st and 2nd frets, and gives back a much richer sound for the trouble.

B9 chord questions

Is B9 the same as B7?

No. B9 adds the ninth, C sharp, on top of B7. They fill the same role in a progression, but the ninth sounds considerably smoother.

Why is the fifth missing?

There are five notes in the chord and four fingers on the hand. The fifth is the least important of the five, so it goes.

Where is B9 used?

As the V chord in E, as the I chord of a blues in B, and in funk and soul, where ninth chords are the default dominant sound.

Is B9 hard to play?

It is a four finger shape near the nut, which takes some pressure, but there is no barre. If you can play C9 you can play this: it is the same grip one fret down.

Which strings do I strum?

The A, D, G and B strings, keeping both E strings quiet.

Chords to learn next

Other B chords