Guitar arpeggio
Ab Dominant 7 Flat 9 Guitar Arpeggio
Ab Dominant 7 Flat 9 is a five-note arpeggio built from Ab, C, Eb, Gb, and Bbb. It is also commonly called Ab Dominant Seven Flat Nine and Ab 7 Flat 9. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- Ab, C, Eb, Gb, Bbb
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7 b9
- Semitones
- 0 4 7 10 13
- Chord symbols
- Ab7b9
- Also called
- Ab Dominant Seven Flat NineAb 7 Flat 9
How to read this arpeggio
The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent Ab root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the Ab root notes and connect the remaining dominant 7 flat 9 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called Ab Dominant Seven Flat Nine or Ab 7 Flat 9.
Chord construction and defining tones
Ab dominant 7 flat 9 is defined by 3 (C), b7 (Gb), and b9 (Bbb). The dominant tritone supplies the function, while the flat ninth adds a strong semitone tension above the root.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over Ab7b9, especially on altered V chords resolving to a minor tonic.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the Ab Dominant 7 Flat 9 arpeggio from one Ab root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Isolate 3 (C), b7 (Gb), and b9 (Bbb) and resolve the flat ninth down to the root before practicing the full arpeggio.
- Build tension over Ab7b9 with the flat ninth, then resolve each altered or guide tone by the smallest available move.
Fretboard diagram
Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool
Start with Ab Dominant 7 Flat 9 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard