B9

B 9th chord

Notes

BD#F#AC#

Intervals

135b79

Root

B

Voicings on standard tuning

Voicing 1
Voicing 2
Voicing 3
Voicing 4
Voicing 5
Voicing 6

About B9

Interval formula

1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9

Sound character

a dominant 7th with extra grit — funk and blues staple

Where it appears

The funk chord — think James Brown stabs and blues turnarounds.

Common progressions using B9

12-bar blues (I7–IV7–V7)

B7→E7→F#7→B7

B9 works as the I chord of a blues in B.

ii–V–I in E

As a dominant, B9 pulls strongly to E.

Turnaround

E→B9→E

A classic way to end a blues or soul chorus and loop back.

Other B chords

Same quality, other roots