B9 Ukulele Chord
Looking for the B9 chord on your ukulele? It is a barre shape, which feels awkward at first but is well worth learning. Your fingers go on the g, C, E and A strings. The steps below show exactly where each one sits.
A four-finger shape. Here is how to play B9, step by step.
- Notes: B, Eb, Gb, A and Db
- Frets: 4 3 5 4
- Tuning: g C E A
B9 ukulele chord details
- Type
- Dominant 9th
- Also known as
- B ninth
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7 9
- Intervals
- B (root), Eb (major 3rd), Gb (perfect 5th), A (minor 7th), Db (9th)
- Notes
- B, Eb, Gb, A and Db
- Frets
- 4 3 5 4
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the B9 chord
Here is the B9 chord step by step:
- Put your middle finger on the 4th fret of the g string.
- Put your index finger on the 3rd fret of the C string.
- Put your little finger on the 5th fret of the E string.
- Put your ring finger on the 4th fret of the A string.
- Strum all four strings.
It is a bit of a stretch, so go slow and let your hand learn the shape. These quick tips for tricky chords help. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
What notes are in the B9 chord?
The B9 chord is built from five notes: B, Eb, Gb, A and Db (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 B9 chord
- TV GirlBlue Hair
- Bruno MarsVersace On The Floor
- Side AForevermore
- wave to earthbad
- Whitney HoustonSaving All My Love For You
- Mayday ParadeAmber Lynn
- Rebecca SugarPart Of The Madness (from Adventure Time Fionna And Cake)
- George GershwinSomeone To Watch Over Me
- Noah KahanGodlight
- BjörkIt’s Oh So Quiet (It’s Oh So Quiet)
Want to go further?
Once B9 feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try B7, Bmaj7, Bm and B. B9 pairs most often with E, Gb and Abm, so the few basic chords next to it go a long way. When that feels good, work on switching between chords faster. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.