Guitar arpeggio

Bb Dominant 7 Sharp 9 Guitar Arpeggio

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

Chord tones
Bb, D, F, Ab, C#
Formula
1 3 5 b7 #9
Semitones
0 4 7 10 15
Chord symbols
Bb7#9
Also called
Bb Dominant Seven Sharp NineBb 7 Sharp 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 sharp 9 chord tones across standard tuning.

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

Chord construction and defining tones

3D
b7Ab
#9C#

Bb dominant 7 sharp 9 is defined by 3 (D), b7 (Ab), 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 Bb7#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 Bb Dominant 7 Sharp 9 arpeggio from one Bb root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
  2. Play 3 (D), b7 (Ab), 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 Bb7#9, then resolve it by semitone when the harmony changes.

Fretboard diagram

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

Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Arpeggio diagrams by tuning