The G♭ Major 9th chord is a five-note chord made up of G♭, B♭, D♭, F, and A♭. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, major seventh, and major ninth.
Construction
G♭ Major 9th = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 7th + Major 2nd = G♭ · B♭ · D♭ · F · A♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| G♭ | Root | 1 |
| B♭ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| D♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| F | Major 7th | 7 |
| A♭ | Major 2nd | 9 |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the G♭ Major 9th is the tonic (I) chord of Gb Major, whose key signature has 6 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭).
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭
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 G♭ Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the G♭ major scale:
G♭ Major 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the G♭ Major 9th chord on piano?
The G♭ Major 9th chord contains the notes G♭ – B♭ – D♭ – F – A♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Gb Major 9th chord?
The Gb Major 9th chord (Gbmaj9) contains five notes: Gb (root), Bb (major third), Db (perfect fifth), F (major seventh), and Ab (major ninth). It is Gbmaj7 with an added ninth.
How does Gbmaj9 differ from Gb9?
Gbmaj9 has a major seventh (F). Gb9 has a minor seventh (Fb/E). Gbmaj9 is lush; Gb9 is dominant.
How is Gbmaj9 used in music?
Gbmaj9 is a rich tonic in Gb Major. Its enharmonic equivalent F#maj9 is more commonly written. Both appear in jazz and neo-soul.
What songs use Major 9th chords?
Major 9th chords are signature sounds of neo-soul, jazz, and lo-fi music.
How does Gbmaj9 differ from Gbadd9?
Gbmaj9 includes the major seventh (F). Gbadd9 has no seventh.
Do I need to play all five notes?
No — drop the fifth: Gb–Bb–F–Ab is the practical voicing.