B9 Piano Chord

B9 is the B dominant ninth chord. It has five notes: B, D sharp, F sharp, A and C sharp. The stack is wider than an octave, so most players take B with the left hand and the other four notes with the right.

B at the bottom, then D♯, F♯, A and C♯. Right hand 1-2-3-4-5 if the span is there; otherwise B in the left hand and the other four notes in the right.

How to play B9 on piano, step by step

Start on the B below middle C. That is the lowest note of the chord.
Thumb (1): B
Index finger (2): D♯
Middle finger (3): F♯
Ring finger (4): A
Little finger (5): C♯
That reach is wider than an octave, so most players split it: play B with the left hand and the other notes with the right. If you keep it in one hand, leave out the fifth (F♯), the note the chord misses least.

B7 is this chord without the C sharp. If you already know it, add the ninth on top with the little finger and the new shape makes sense at once.

If it sounds wrong

The reach is too wide: B to C sharp is a ninth. Play B with the left hand and D sharp, F sharp, A and C sharp with the right; the split is the normal way, not a shortcut.
It sounds soft instead of bluesy: The seventh has to be A natural, the white key. A sharp gives Bmaj9, soft where B9 has pull.
The black keys crowd the hand: Three of the five notes are black. Let the hand sit deep enough that the index and middle fingers land squarely on D sharp and F sharp.

What makes it a B9

B · D♯ · F♯ · A · C♯ 1 3 5 ♭7 9

B9 is a B7 chord with a C sharp added: B, D sharp, F sharp and A make the seventh, and the C sharp a ninth above the root completes it.

B9 is the V9 of E, the seventh chord blues, soul and funk actually play instead of the plain B7. E is one of the friendliest band keys there is, so a pianist playing with guitarists meets this chord constantly.

B9 vs B7

B9 is B7 with a C sharp on top. Both pull toward E; the ninth rounds the sound without changing the job.

Play B7, then add C sharp with the little finger. In a blues in E, where B7 is the V chord, the ninth is the version rhythm sections actually play.

Questions about B9

Which notes are in a B9 chord on piano?

B, D sharp, F sharp, A and C sharp. Three black keys, with the root and the seventh on white ones.

What is the difference between B9 and Badd9?

The seventh. B9 contains A; Badd9 is the plain B major chord with a C sharp added and no seventh.

Why does this page show no inversions?

A ninth chord is wider than an octave, so lifting the bass note an octave lands it inside the chord rather than on top. Players thin ninths out instead, dropping the root or the fifth.

Can I leave a note out of B9?

Yes. The fifth, F sharp, goes first. If the root is covered by a bass player or your left hand, the right hand can play just D sharp, F sharp, A and C sharp.

Where is the B9 chord used?

As the V chord of E and through a blues in B. Funk and soul keyboard parts use it wherever B7 would sit.