Guitar arpeggio
Bb Minor 9 Guitar Arpeggio
Bb Minor 9 is a five-note arpeggio built from Bb, Db, F, Ab, and C. It is also commonly called Bb Minor Ninth and Bbm9. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- Bb, Db, F, Ab, C
- Formula
- 1 b3 5 b7 9
- Semitones
- 0 3 7 10 14
- Chord symbols
- Bbm9, Bbmin9
- Also called
- Bb Minor NinthBbm9
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 minor 9 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called Bb Minor Ninth or Bbm9.
Chord construction and defining tones
Bb minor 9 is defined by b3 (Db), b7 (Ab), and 9 (C). It extends a minor seventh chord with the natural ninth.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over Bbm9 and minor harmony where both the flat seventh and natural ninth are present.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the Bb Minor 9 arpeggio from one Bb root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Practice b3 (Db), b7 (Ab), and 9 (C) without the root first, then add the nearest root to hear the full chord identity.
- Create a line over Bbm9 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 Bb Minor 9 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard