Bb9 Ukulele Chord
Bb9 on ukulele is 3-2-4-3: put your index finger on the 2nd fret of the C string, your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the g string, your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string and your little finger on the 4th fret of the E string. It is a four-finger shape, a little fiddly at first but it settles fast. You will also see it written as A#9, A sharp ninth.
- Notes: Bb, D, F, Ab and C
- Frets: 3 2 4 3
- Tuning: g C E A
Bb9 ukulele chord details
- Type
- Dominant 9th
- Also known as
- A#9, or Bb ninth
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7 9
- Intervals
- Bb (root), D (major 3rd), F (perfect 5th), Ab (minor 7th), C (major 9th)
- Notes
- Bb, D, F, Ab and C
- Frets
- 3 2 4 3
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Bb9 chord
Here is the Bb9 chord step by step:
- Put your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the g string.
- Put your index finger on the 2nd fret of the C string.
- Put your little finger on the 4th fret of the E string.
- Put your ring finger on the 3rd 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.
Is there an easier way to play Bb9?
Not really. 3-2-4-3 is already the simplest playable shape for Bb9 on a ukulele; every alternative either needs more fingers or sits higher up the neck. If it still feels awkward, the tips above are the fix.
What notes are in the Bb9 chord?
The Bb9 chord is built from five notes: Bb, D, F, Ab and C (the root, major 3rd, perfect 5th, minor 7th and major 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 Bb9 chord
Want to go further?
Once Bb9 feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try Bb7, Bbmaj7, Bbm and Bb. Bb9 pairs most often with F, Eb and Gm, so the few basic chords next to it go a long way. Then put it into a strumming pattern. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.