B♭9 6-string bass chord

How to play B♭9 on 6-string bass

The most common way, the first shape above: your index finger on the A string at the 1st fret and your middle finger on the G string at the 1st fret. Let the D and C strings ring open. Don’t play the B and E strings.

From the B string x x 1 0 1 0 (x: not played, 0: open)

What notes are in B♭9?

B♭9, B♭ dominant ninth, is B♭, D, F, A♭ and C: the root (B♭), the major third (D), the perfect fifth (F), the minor seventh (A♭) and the ninth (C). Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7 9.

Can I play B♭7 instead of B♭9?

Yes. B♭9 is B♭7 with C added; on guitar the root or fifth is often left out to make room for it.

What is the difference between B♭9 and B♭add9?

B♭9 has the minor seventh, A♭, under the ninth; B♭add9 has the ninth with no seventh.