Chord

A♭ 6/9 Chord

A♭CE♭FB♭
View on: Theory PianoGuitarUkuleleMandolin

Interactive keyboard

Highlighted notes form this chord.

Notes

A♭ · C · E♭ · F · B♭

Root: A♭

Intervals

1 · 3 · 5 · 6 · 9

How it is built

This chord starts on A♭ and applies the intervals 1, 3, 5, 6, 9. The result contains 5 distinct pitch classes per octave.

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Guide and musical context

About A♭ 6/9 Chord

A♭ 6/9 Chord contains A♭, C, E♭, F, B♭. Its sound is stable, open and very smooth.

Character and sound

Stable, open and very smooth.

Musical context and history

The 6/9 combines sixth and ninth over a major triad without a seventh. It is a classic jazz, bossa nova, lounge and guitar/piano color.

How and where it is used

It works especially well as a tonic or ending because it adds richness without demanding resolution.

In Theory view you can hear the pitch collection without depending on a specific fingering. Then switch to Piano, Guitar, Ukulele or Mandolin to see how the same notes are physically distributed on each instrument.

Harmonic and musical relationships

From A♭, the dominant is E♭, the subdominant is C♯ and the relative minor is F. These relationships are useful starting points for progressions.

The formula on this page is 1 · 3 · 5 · 6 · 9 and, from A♭, produces the notes A♭ · C · E♭ · F · B♭.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A♭ 6/9 Chord?

The notes are A♭, C, E♭, F, B♭.

What is its interval formula?

The formula is 1 · 3 · 5 · 6 · 9.

How does it sound and what is it used for?

Stable, open and very smooth. It works especially well as a tonic or ending because it adds richness without demanding resolution.

Can I view it on a specific instrument?

Yes. Use the selector near the top to switch between Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Mandolin without changing the musical combination you are studying.