Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions
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B♭min7(♭9)/A♭ is the B♭ minor 7th flat 9th / A♭ (3rd inversion) guitar chord with A♭ in the bass. It uses the notes B♭, D♭, F, A♭, and C♭ and the interval formula 1-♭3-5-♭7-♭9.
The B♭ minor 7th flat 9th minor 7th flat 9th chord extends the minor 7th with a flat ninth C♭, creating a dark, eerie tension. The combination of the minor third D♭, minor seventh A♭, and flat ninth C♭ produces a dissonant, haunting sound perfect for jazz, film scoring, and dramatic resolutions. With A♭ in the bass, this voicing functions as the 3rd inversion of B♭ minor 7th flat 9th.
Also written as B♭min7(♭9), B♭m7♭9/A♭, and B♭m7(♭9)/A♭.
These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.
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Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.
The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.
This note supplies the minor color and gives the chord its darker emotional pull.
The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.
The minor seventh adds bluesy or jazzy tension that wants to move onward.
The flat ninth adds sharper tension and a more dramatic clash.
Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.
B♭min7(♭9)/A♭ uses the notes B♭, D♭, F, A♭, and C♭. Its interval formula is 1-♭3-5-♭7-♭9.
B♭min7(♭9)/A♭ is also written as B♭min7(♭9), B♭m7♭9/A♭, and B♭m7(♭9)/A♭.
Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string and 5th string in barre position. Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position. Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 6th string. Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string. Strum from the 6th string down.
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