Guitar arpeggio
Ab Minor 9 Guitar Arpeggio
Ab Minor 9 is a five-note arpeggio built from Ab, Cb, Eb, Gb, and Bb. It is also commonly called Ab Minor Ninth and Abm9. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- Ab, Cb, Eb, Gb, Bb
- Formula
- 1 b3 5 b7 9
- Semitones
- 0 3 7 10 14
- Chord symbols
- Abm9, Abmin9
- Also called
- Ab Minor NinthAbm9
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 minor 9 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called Ab Minor Ninth or Abm9.
Chord construction and defining tones
Ab minor 9 is defined by b3 (Cb), b7 (Gb), and 9 (Bb). It extends a minor seventh chord with the natural ninth.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over Abm9 and minor harmony where both the flat seventh and natural ninth are present.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the Ab Minor 9 arpeggio from one Ab root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Practice b3 (Cb), b7 (Gb), and 9 (Bb) without the root first, then add the nearest root to hear the full chord identity.
- Create a line over Abm9 that moves from the ninth through the flat seventh and resolves to the minor third.
Fretboard diagram
Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool
Start with Ab Minor 9 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard