Guitar arpeggio

F Dominant 9 Guitar Arpeggio

F Dominant 9 is a five-note arpeggio built from F, A, C, Eb, and G. It is also commonly called F Dominant Ninth and F9. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.

Chord tones
F, A, C, Eb, G
Formula
1 3 5 b7 9
Semitones
0 4 7 10 14
Chord symbols
F9
Also called
F Dominant NinthF9

How to read this arpeggio

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

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

This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called F Dominant Ninth or F9.

Chord construction and defining tones

3A
b7Eb
9G

F dominant 9 is defined by 3 (A), b7 (Eb), and 9 (G). The dominant guide tones remain intact while the ninth adds an upper extension.

Harmonic use

Use this arpeggio over F9, dominant funk and blues harmony, or a V chord that includes the natural ninth.

Practice this arpeggio on guitar

  1. Play the F Dominant 9 arpeggio from one F root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
  2. Play 3 (A), b7 (Eb), and 9 (G) as a rootless three-note group in several positions, then add the root and fifth.
  3. Outline F9, emphasize the ninth, and resolve the third and flat seventh into the next chord.

Fretboard diagram

F Dominant 9 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning
F Dominant 9 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning.

Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Arpeggio diagrams by tuning