Guitar arpeggio

B Dominant 7 Sharp 9 Guitar Arpeggio

B Dominant 7 Sharp 9 is a five-note arpeggio built from B, D#, F#, A, and C##. It is also commonly called B Dominant Seven Sharp Nine and B 7 Sharp 9. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.

Chord tones
B, D#, F#, A, C##
Formula
1 3 5 b7 #9
Semitones
0 4 7 10 15
Chord symbols
B7#9
Also called
B Dominant Seven Sharp NineB 7 Sharp 9

How to read this arpeggio

The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent B root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.

Use the interactive fretboard to locate the B root notes and connect the remaining dominant 7 sharp 9 chord tones across standard tuning.

This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called B Dominant Seven Sharp Nine or B 7 Sharp 9.

Chord construction and defining tones

3D#
b7A
#9C##

B dominant 7 sharp 9 is defined by 3 (D#), b7 (A), and #9 (C##). The chord retains its major third and flat seventh while the sharp ninth adds an altered upper tension.

Harmonic use

Use this arpeggio over B7#9, altered dominant harmony, and dominant sounds that deliberately combine the major third with the sharp ninth.

Practice this arpeggio on guitar

  1. Play the B Dominant 7 Sharp 9 arpeggio from one B root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
  2. Play 3 (D#), b7 (A), and #9 (C##) in small groups and keep the major third and sharp ninth in separate octaves so both colors remain clear.
  3. Emphasize the sharp ninth over B7#9, then resolve it by semitone when the harmony changes.

Fretboard diagram

B Dominant 7 Sharp 9 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning
B Dominant 7 Sharp 9 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning.

Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool

Start with B Dominant 7 Sharp 9 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Arpeggio diagrams by tuning