Guitar arpeggio

Eb Minor 9 Guitar Arpeggio

Eb Minor 9 is a five-note arpeggio built from Eb, Gb, Bb, Db, and F. It is also commonly called Eb Minor Ninth and Ebm9. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.

Chord tones
Eb, Gb, Bb, Db, F
Formula
1 b3 5 b7 9
Semitones
0 3 7 10 14
Chord symbols
Ebm9, Ebmin9
Also called
Eb Minor NinthEbm9

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 minor 9 chord tones across standard tuning.

This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called Eb Minor Ninth or Ebm9.

Chord construction and defining tones

b3Gb
b7Db
9F

Eb minor 9 is defined by b3 (Gb), b7 (Db), and 9 (F). It extends a minor seventh chord with the natural ninth.

Harmonic use

Use this arpeggio over Ebm9 and minor harmony where both the flat seventh and natural ninth are present.

Practice this arpeggio on guitar

  1. Play the Eb Minor 9 arpeggio from one Eb root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
  2. Practice b3 (Gb), b7 (Db), and 9 (F) without the root first, then add the nearest root to hear the full chord identity.
  3. Create a line over Ebm9 that moves from the ninth through the flat seventh and resolves to the minor third.

Fretboard diagram

Eb Minor 9 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning
Eb Minor 9 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning.

Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Arpeggio diagrams by tuning