Guitar arpeggio

Eb Dominant 7 Flat 9 Guitar Arpeggio

Eb Dominant 7 Flat 9 is a five-note arpeggio built from Eb, G, Bb, Db, and Fb. It is also commonly called Eb Dominant Seven Flat Nine and Eb 7 Flat 9. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.

Chord tones
Eb, G, Bb, Db, Fb
Formula
1 3 5 b7 b9
Semitones
0 4 7 10 13
Chord symbols
Eb7b9
Also called
Eb Dominant Seven Flat NineEb 7 Flat 9

How to read this arpeggio

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

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

This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called Eb Dominant Seven Flat Nine or Eb 7 Flat 9.

Chord construction and defining tones

3G
b7Db
b9Fb

Eb dominant 7 flat 9 is defined by 3 (G), b7 (Db), and b9 (Fb). The dominant tritone supplies the function, while the flat ninth adds a strong semitone tension above the root.

Harmonic use

Use this arpeggio over Eb7b9, especially on altered V chords resolving to a minor tonic.

Practice this arpeggio on guitar

  1. Play the Eb Dominant 7 Flat 9 arpeggio from one Eb root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
  2. Isolate 3 (G), b7 (Db), and b9 (Fb) and resolve the flat ninth down to the root before practicing the full arpeggio.
  3. Build tension over Eb7b9 with the flat ninth, then resolve each altered or guide tone by the smallest available move.

Fretboard diagram

Eb Dominant 7 Flat 9 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning
Eb Dominant 7 Flat 9 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning.

Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Arpeggio diagrams by tuning