G9

G 9th chord

Notes

GBDFA

Intervals

135b79

Root

Voicings on standard tuning

Voicing 1

○

Voicing 2

○

Voicing 3

○

3fr

Voicing 4

○

Voicing 5

2fr

Voicing 6

○

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.

12-bar blues (I7–IV7–V7)

G7→C7→D7→G7

G9 works as the I chord of a blues in G.

ii–V–I in C

As a dominant, G9 pulls strongly to C.

Turnaround

C→G9→C

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