The G♭ Minor 9th chord is a five-note chord made up of G♭, B♭♭, D♭, F♭, and A♭. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth.
Construction
G♭ Minor 9th = Root + Minor 3rd + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th + Major 2nd = G♭ · B♭♭ · D♭ · F♭ · A♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| G♭ | Root | 1 |
| B♭♭ | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| D♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| F♭ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
| A♭ | Major 2nd | 9 |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the G♭ Minor 9th is the tonic (i) chord of Gb Minor, which shares the signature of its relative major, A Major — 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯).
F♯C♯G♯
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 G♭ Minor
These are the triads built on each degree of the G♭ minor scale:
G♭ Minor 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the G♭ Minor 9th chord on piano?
The G♭ Minor 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 Minor 9th chord?
The Gb Minor 9th chord (Gbm9) contains five notes: Gb (root), Bbb (minor third, enharmonically A), Db (perfect fifth), Fb (minor seventh, enharmonically E), and Ab (major ninth). Enharmonic equivalent of F#m9.
How does Gbm9 differ from Gb9?
Gbm9 has a minor third. Gb9 has a major third. Gbm9 is dark; Gb9 is dominant.
How is Gbm9 used in music?
Gbm9 is the enharmonic equivalent of F#m9, the ii in E Major. Musicians typically use F#m9.
What songs use Minor 9th chords?
Minor 9th chords define neo-soul and lo-fi.
How does Gbm9 differ from Gbm7?
Gbm9 adds the ninth (Ab) for richer colour.
Do I need to play all five notes?
No — drop the fifth for a cleaner voicing.