B Minor 9th
Hear the B Minor 9th chord played for you.
Bm9
B – D – F♯ – A – C♯
Formula:R-m3-P5-m7-M9
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-m7-M9
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-b7-9
Introduction
The B Minor 9th chord is a five-note chord made up of B, D, F♯, A, and C♯. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth.
The B Minor 9th piano chord (Bm9) consists of the notes B, D, F#, A, C#. 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 B Minor 9th has 2 sharps.
F♯C♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of B Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the B minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — B Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-m7-M9
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-m7-M9
The B 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.
B Minor 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the B Minor 9th chord?
The B Minor 9th chord (Bm9) contains five notes: B (root), D (minor third), F# (perfect fifth), A (minor seventh), and C# (major ninth). It is Bm7 with an added ninth.
How does Bm9 differ from B9?
Bm9 has a minor third (D). B9 has a major third (D#). Bm9 is dark and smooth; B9 is dominant.
How is Bm9 used in music?
Bm9 is the ii in A Major (Bm9–E13–Amaj9) and the iii in G Major. It appears in folk-jazz, acoustic, and pop-rock.
What songs use Minor 9th chords?
Minor 9th chords define neo-soul and lo-fi. Bm9 is common in acoustic pop and folk-jazz.
How does Bm9 differ from Bm7?
Bm9 adds the ninth (C#) for richer colour.
Do I need to play all five notes?
No — drop the fifth: B–D–A–C# is practical.
Practice Tips
- Play Bm7 then add C# — hear the ninth open the chord.
- Drop the fifth: B–D–A–C# is standard.
- Practice Bm9 → E13 → Amaj9 for the ii–V–I in A.
- Bm9 is beautiful in acoustic and folk-jazz settings.
- Rootless: D–F#–A–C# (Dmaj7 shape over B bass).
- Compare Bm9 with Bm7 — the ninth adds significant openness.
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.