Guitar arpeggio
Bb Dominant 7 Flat 9 Guitar Arpeggio
Bb Dominant 7 Flat 9 is a five-note arpeggio built from Bb, D, F, Ab, and Cb. It is also commonly called Bb Dominant Seven Flat Nine and Bb 7 Flat 9. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- Bb, D, F, Ab, Cb
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7 b9
- Semitones
- 0 4 7 10 13
- Chord symbols
- Bb7b9
- Also called
- Bb Dominant Seven Flat NineBb 7 Flat 9
How to read this arpeggio
The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent Bb root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the Bb root notes and connect the remaining dominant 7 flat 9 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called Bb Dominant Seven Flat Nine or Bb 7 Flat 9.
Chord construction and defining tones
Bb dominant 7 flat 9 is defined by 3 (D), b7 (Ab), and b9 (Cb). The dominant tritone supplies the function, while the flat ninth adds a strong semitone tension above the root.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over Bb7b9, especially on altered V chords resolving to a minor tonic.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the Bb Dominant 7 Flat 9 arpeggio from one Bb root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Isolate 3 (D), b7 (Ab), and b9 (Cb) and resolve the flat ninth down to the root before practicing the full arpeggio.
- Build tension over Bb7b9 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 Bb Dominant 7 Flat 9 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard