Guitar arpeggio
Ab Minor Add9 Guitar Arpeggio
Ab Minor Add9 is a four-note added-tone arpeggio built from Ab, Cb, Eb, and Bb. It is also commonly called Ab Minor Add 9, Abmadd9, and Ab min add9. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- Ab, Cb, Eb, Bb
- Formula
- 1 b3 5 9
- Semitones
- 0 3 7 14
- Chord symbols
- Abmadd9, Abminadd9
- Also called
- Ab Minor Add 9Abmadd9Ab min add9
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 add9 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called Ab Minor Add 9 or Abmadd9 or Ab min add9.
Chord construction and defining tones
Ab minor add9 is defined by b3 (Cb) and 9 (Bb). It keeps the minor triad and adds the ninth without adding a seventh.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over Abmadd9 and minor chords where the natural ninth is part of the voicing or melody.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the Ab Minor Add9 arpeggio from one Ab root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Connect b3 (Cb) and 9 (Bb) across two octaves and compare the color of the ninth against the minor third.
- Play over Abmadd9, treating the ninth as a color tone that resolves to the root or minor third.
Fretboard diagram
Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool
Start with Ab Minor Add9 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard