Eb9 Guitar Chord

Eb9 is the E flat dominant ninth chord. It has five notes on paper: E flat, G, B flat, D flat and F. The standard shape uses four strings and leaves out the B flat, the fifth.

5fr2134×E♭GD♭F×

Root on the A string at the 6th 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 Eb9, step by step

  1. Index finger: 5th fret, D string
  2. Middle finger: 6th fret, A string
  3. Ring finger: 6th fret, G string
  4. Pinky finger: 6th fret, B string
  5. Strum only the A and D and G and B strings, and stop the downstroke at the B.

Palm mute between strums and this becomes a groove rather than a chord. Four string ninths are built for rhythm playing.

More ways to play Eb9

There are 2 common Eb9 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 11
Eb9 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 11, played 11 x 11 12 11 13

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 cluttered

Unwanted strings ring
Only four strings belong here. Mute the low E with the index fingertip and let the pinky lean on the high E.
The stretch feels tight
The index sits at the 5th fret and three fingers at the 6th. Keep the thumb low behind the neck so the hand can spread.
The chord sounds muddy
Check the D string note at the 5th fret. It is the third of the chord, and a buzzed third makes the whole thing vague.

What makes it an Eb9

E♭ · G · B♭ · D♭ · F 1 3 5 ♭7 9

Eb9 is an Eb7 chord with a ninth added: E flat, G, B flat and D flat make the seventh chord, and the F makes it a ninth. This shape keeps the root, third, flat seventh and ninth.

It is the V chord of A flat and the I chord of a blues in E flat. E flat is a horn key, so this chord turns up in soul, jump blues and big band material far more often than in guitar based songwriting.

Eb9 vs Eb7

Eb9 is Eb7 with an F added. Both resolve toward A flat, and the ninth is the smoother of the two.

Neither has an open shape in this key, so the ninth costs nothing extra in difficulty. In the styles where E flat appears, it is usually the better sounding choice.

Eb9 chord questions

Is Eb9 the same as D#9?

Yes, one chord with two spellings. E flat is the usual name and the one used here.

Why is the fifth missing?

The chord has five notes and the shape has four strings. The fifth is the note that adds least, so it is dropped.

Is Eb9 the same as Eb7?

No. Eb9 adds the ninth, F, on top of Eb7. Same function, different colour.

Where is Eb9 used?

As the V chord in A flat, as the I chord of a blues in E flat, and in soul and swing arrangements.

Which strings do I strum?

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

Chords to learn next

Other Eb chords