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.
Construction
B Minor 9th = Root + Minor 3rd + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th + Major 2nd = B · D · F♯ · A · C♯
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| B | Root | 1 |
| D | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| F♯ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| A | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
| C♯ | Major 2nd | 9 |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the B Minor 9th is the tonic (i) chord of B Minor, which shares the signature of its relative major, D Major — 2 sharps (F♯, C♯).
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 triads built on each degree of the B minor scale:
B Minor 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the B Minor 9th chord on piano?
The B Minor 9th chord contains the notes B – D – F♯ – A – C♯. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
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.