A♭add9 8-string bass chord

How to play A♭add9 on 8-string bass

The most common way, the first shape above: your little finger on the A string at the 11th fret, your middle finger on the D string at the 10th fret, your index finger on the G string at the 8th fret, your ring finger on the C string at the 10th fret and your ring finger on the F string at the 10th fret. Don’t play the F♯, B and E strings.

From the F♯ string x x x 11 10 8 10 10 (x: not played, 0: open)

What notes are in A♭add9?

A♭add9, A♭ added ninth, is A♭, C, E♭ and B♭: the root (A♭), the major third (C), the perfect fifth (E♭) and the ninth (B♭). Its formula is 1 3 5 9.

Can I use A♭add9 instead of A♭?

Yes, almost anywhere: A♭add9 is A♭ with B♭ added, which gives it a brighter, more open ring.

Is A♭sus2 the same as A♭add9?

No. A♭add9 keeps the major third, C; A♭sus2 drops it and has B♭ in its place.

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

A♭9 also has the minor seventh, G♭; A♭add9 adds the ninth with no seventh at all.