A♭ Minor 9th
Also Known As
Hear the A♭ Minor 9th chord played for you.
A♭m9
A♭ – B – E♭ – G♭ – B♭
Formula:R-m3-P5-m7-M9
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-m7-M9
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-b7-9
Introduction
The A♭ Minor 9th chord is a five-note chord made up of A♭, B, E♭, G♭, and B♭. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth.
The Ab Minor 9th piano chord (Abm9) consists of the notes Ab, B, Eb, Gb, Bb. It is a minor 7th chord with an added major 9th, giving it a dark yet lush character widely used in jazz, soul, and R&B progressions. Formula: R-m3-P5-m7-M9 | Scale degrees: 1-b3-5-b7-9.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of Ab Minor 9th has 7 flats.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
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♭ Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the A♭ minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — A♭ Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-m7-M9
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-m7-M9
The A♭ Minor 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.
A♭ Minor 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Ab Minor 9th chord?
The Ab Minor 9th chord (Abm9) contains five notes: Ab (root), Cb (minor third, enharmonically B), Eb (perfect fifth), Gb (minor seventh), and Bb (major ninth). It is Abm7 with an added ninth.
How does Abm9 differ from Ab9?
Abm9 has a minor third (Cb). Ab9 has a major third (C). Abm9 is dark; Ab9 is dominant.
How is Abm9 used in music?
Abm9 is the ii in Gb Major (Abm9–Db13–Gbmaj9). It appears in jazz, neo-soul, and R&B.
What songs use Minor 9th chords?
Minor 9th chords define neo-soul and lo-fi music.
How does Abm9 differ from Abm7?
Abm9 adds the ninth (Bb) for richer colour.
Do I need to play all five notes?
No — drop the fifth: Ab–Cb–Gb–Bb is practical.
Practice Tips
- Play Abm7 then add Bb — hear the ninth open the chord.
- Abm9 has a distinctive mostly-black-keys shape.
- Practice Abm9 → Db13 → Gbmaj9 for the ii–V–I in Gb.
- Drop the fifth for the practical voicing.
- Rootless: Cb–Eb–Gb–Bb for jazz comping.
- Abm9 in neo-soul: loop for an atmospheric dark groove.
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.