Guitar arpeggio

F# Dominant 7 Flat 9 Guitar Arpeggio

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

Chord tones
F#, A#, C#, E, G
Formula
1 3 5 b7 b9
Semitones
0 4 7 10 13
Chord symbols
F#7b9
Also called
F# Dominant Seven Flat NineF# 7 Flat 9

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 7 flat 9 chord tones across standard tuning.

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

Chord construction and defining tones

3A#
b7E
b9G

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

Harmonic use

Use this arpeggio over F#7b9, especially on altered V chords resolving to a minor tonic.

Practice this arpeggio on guitar

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

Fretboard diagram

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

Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool

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

Open in interactive fretboard

Arpeggio diagrams by tuning