Rootless Voicing
The A♭BDG Voicing
The A♭BDG Voicing (the diminished-family box voicing) holds the shape A♭–B–D–G. Because the upper structure of a Dom7♭9 is itself a diminished 7th, the same four notes function as four dominants (G7, B♭7, D♭7, E7 — a minor-third cycle) and four diminished chords (A♭°7, B°7, D°7, F°7) with G as the added tension.
The FABE Voicing
Treble-register four-note shape (F–A–B–E). Twelve chord interpretations depending on the bass.
The BEFA Voicing
Bass-register cluster (B–E–F–A). Same four pitch classes as FABE, dropped an octave.
The A♭BDG Voicing
Diminished-family shape (A♭–B–D–G). Eight chord interpretations: four dom7♭9 + four dim7.
Bass clef
8 Chord Interpretations
The upper structure of a Dom7♭9 chord is a diminished 7th. So one shape unlocks four dominants (a minor-third cycle: G7, B♭7, D♭7, E7) and four diminished chords (A♭°7, B°7, D°7, F°7 — with G acting as the added tension).
| # | Chord | Voicing formula |
|---|---|---|
| Dominant 7♭9 family | ||
| 1 | G7♭9 | ♭9 · 3 · 5 · 1 |
| 2 | B♭7 13/9 | ♭7 · ♭9 · 3 · 13 |
| 3 | D♭7♯11♭9 | 5 · ♭7 · ♭9 · ♯11 |
| 4 | E7♯9 | 3 · 5 · ♭7 · ♯9 |
| Diminished 7th family (G as added tension) | ||
| 5 | A♭°7 (add G) | 1 · ♭3 · ♭5 · (T) |
| 6 | B°7 (add G) | ♭♭7 · 1 · ♭3 · (T) |
| 7 | D°7 (add G) | ♭5 · ♭♭7 · 1 · (T) |
| 8 | F°7 (add G) | ♭3 · ♭5 · ♭♭7 · (T) |
Operating rule: Diminished Scale → Dom7♭9 (start on the ♭9) or Dim 7th (start on the root).
Want the full picture? The voicings hub shows all three voicings side by side, plus the master modes-to-voicings reference that tells you which shape to reach for in any harmonic situation.