Ab9 Ukulele Chord
Looking for the Ab9 chord on your ukulele? It is a three-finger shape, a little fiddly at first but it settles fast. Your fingers go on the g, E and A strings. The steps below show exactly where each one sits.
A three-finger shape. Here is how to play Ab9, step by step.
- Notes: Ab, C, Eb, Gb and Bb
- Frets: 1 0 2 1
- Tuning: g C E A
Ab9 ukulele chord details
- Type
- Dominant 9th
- Also known as
- Ab ninth
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7 9
- Intervals
- Ab (root), C (major 3rd), Eb (perfect 5th), Gb (minor 7th), Bb (9th)
- Notes
- Ab, C, Eb, Gb and Bb
- Frets
- 1 0 2 1
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Ab9 chord
Here is the Ab9 chord step by step:
- Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the g string.
- Put your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the E string.
- Put your middle finger on the 1st fret of the A string.
- Leave the C string open.
- Strum all four strings.
Take it slowly the first few times and it will start to feel natural. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
What notes are in the Ab9 chord?
The Ab9 chord is built from five notes: Ab, C, Eb, Gb and Bb (the root, major 3rd, perfect 5th, minor 7th and 9th). That flat seventh makes a dominant 7th restless. It leans forward and wants to resolve to the next chord, which is why it turns up all over blues and folk. New to these? Have a read about seventh chords.
Ukulele songs that use the Ab9 chord
Want to go further?
Once Ab9 feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try Ab7, Abmaj7, Abm and Ab. It works as a richer color alongside the basic chords you already know. When that feels good, work on switching between chords faster. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.