The A♭ Major 9th chord is a five-note chord made up of A♭, C, E♭, G, and B♭. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, major seventh, and major ninth.
Construction
A♭ Major 9th = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 7th + Major 2nd = A♭ · C · E♭ · G · B♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | Root | 1 |
| C | Major 3rd | 3 |
| E♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| G | Major 7th | 7 |
| B♭ | Major 2nd | 9 |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the A♭ Major 9th 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:
A♭ Major 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A♭ Major 9th chord on piano?
The A♭ Major 9th chord contains the notes A♭ – C – E♭ – G – B♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Ab Major 9th chord?
The Ab Major 9th chord (Abmaj9) contains five notes: Ab (root), C (major third), Eb (perfect fifth), G (major seventh), and Bb (major ninth). It is Abmaj7 with an added ninth.
How does Abmaj9 differ from Ab9?
Abmaj9 has a major seventh (G). Ab9 has a minor seventh (Gb). Abmaj9 is lush; Ab9 is dominant.
How is Abmaj9 used in music?
Abmaj9 is a rich tonic in Ab Major, a favourite key for R&B vocalists. It appears in neo-soul, gospel, jazz ballads, and sophisticated pop.
What songs use Major 9th chords?
Major 9th chords are signature sounds of neo-soul and jazz. Abmaj9 is especially common in R&B and gospel.
How does Abmaj9 differ from Abadd9?
Abmaj9 includes the major seventh (G). Abadd9 has no seventh.
Do I need to play all five notes?
No — drop the fifth: Ab–C–G–Bb is the practical voicing.