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Abadd9 Chord

Abadd9 keeps the A flat major triad and adds B flat, its ninth. The major third remains, so this is different from a sus2 chord, which replaces the third.

  • Notes: A flat-C-E flat-B flat
  • Symbol: Abadd9
  • Iadd9 in Ab major
  • Added ninth
Switch chordAbadd9

How to play an Abadd9 chord

Notes: Ab - C - Eb - Bb · symbol Abadd9

  • Root position

    Ab - C - Eb - Bb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    C - Eb - Bb - Ab
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    Eb - Bb - Ab - C
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    Bb - Ab - C - Eb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does Abadd9 belong?

The ninth adds color to an otherwise familiar major chord without replacing its third.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In Ab majorHome with shimmer
    Iadd9

    The ninth sits on top of a plain major chord, without a seventh.

    DbIVEbVAbadd9Iadd9
  • In Eb majorBright step away
    IVadd9

    The IV of Eb major with an added ninth.

    EbIAbadd9IVadd9BbVEbI

Progressions to try

  • DbEbAbadd9

    Abadd9 is the tonic arrival; the added ninth remains above the familiar major triad.

  • EbAbadd9BbEb

    Here the added ninth colors the IV chord while the loop still ends on the ordinary tonic.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with x-11-10-8-11-8, a barre at the 8th fret.

On ukulele, the open shape 3043 is the easiest place to start. 3343 gives a higher version.

On piano, play A flat-C-E flat-B flat. Move A flat up an octave to reach the first inversion, C-E flat-B flat-A flat; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

A flat, C and E flat make the major triad; B flat adds the ninth, an octave plus a second above the root.

  • Root position: A flat-C-E flat-B flat, with A flat lowest.
  • First inversion: C-E flat-B flat-A flat, written Abadd9/C if C is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: E flat-B flat-A flat-C, written Abadd9/Eb if E flat is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: B flat-A flat-C-E flat, written Abadd9/Bb if B flat is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Abadd9 differ from Ab9?

Abadd9 has the third and ninth but no seventh. Add G flat and you get Ab9; the comparer lets you hear what that extra seventh changes. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See Ab9 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Abadd9

    Ab - C - Eb - Bb
    C4

    Ab add9

  • Ab9

    Ab - C - Eb - Gb - Bb
    C4

    Ab dominant 9

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