G♭ Major 9th
Also Known As
Hear the G♭ Major 9th chord played for you.
G♭maj9
G♭ – B♭ – D♭ – F – A♭
Formula:R-M3-P5-M7-M9
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-M7-M9
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-7-9
Introduction
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.
The Gb Major 9th piano chord (Gbmaj9) consists of the notes Gb, Bb, Db, F, Ab. It is a major 7th chord with an added major 9th, giving it a lush, sophisticated character often used in jazz, R&B, and neo-soul progressions. Formula: R-M3-P5-M7-M9 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-7-9.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of Gb Major 9th has 6 flats.
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 diatonic triads built on each degree of the G♭ major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — G♭ Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-M7-M9
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-M7-M9
The G♭ Major 9th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-M7-M9 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-M7-M9 show the distance between each note in the chord.
G♭ Major 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Practice Tips
- Play Gbmaj7 then add Ab — hear the lush ninth.
- Drop the fifth: Gb–Bb–F–Ab is standard.
- Gbmaj9 and F#maj9 are enharmonic — practice both.
- Gbmaj9 has a distinctive mostly-black-keys shape — use the feel as a memory anchor.
- Practice Abm9 → Db13 → Gbmaj9 for the jazz ii–V–I in Gb.
- Rootless: Bb–Db–F–Ab for jazz comping.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.