The A♭ 6/9 chord is a five-note chord made up of A♭, C, E♭, F, and B♭. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, major sixth, and major ninth.
Construction
A♭ 6/9 = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 6th + Major 2nd = A♭ · C · E♭ · F · B♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | Root | 1 |
| C | Major 3rd | 3 |
| E♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| F | Major 6th | 6 |
| B♭ | Major 2nd | 2 |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the A♭ 6/9 is the tonic (I) chord of Ab Major, whose key signature has 4 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭).
B♭E♭A♭D♭
Order of flats
Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Chords in the Key of A♭ Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the A♭ major scale:
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes A♭ – C – E♭ – F – B♭ aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
A♭ 6/9 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A♭ 6/9 chord on piano?
The A♭ 6/9 chord contains the notes A♭ – C – E♭ – F – B♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Ab 6/9 chord?
The Ab 6/9 chord (Ab6/9) contains 5 notes: Ab, C, Eb, F, Bb. Formula: R-M3-P5-M6-M9.
How is Ab6/9 used in music?
Ab6/9 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for Ab6/9?
Ab6/9 uses scale degrees 1-3-5-6-9, giving it its distinctive sound.