Chord a Day, February 17th - C7b9

Open Position chords typically do not show the location of the root or letter name of the chord, as these chords are the first chords a ukulele player learns. They are almost entirely learned by shape and sound–hopefully, the chord names. Later on, one develops the ability to determine the location of the chord root(s) or letter name within the chord.

Standard Music Notation and TAB

Standard music notation and TAB for C Tuning, Low and High G variations

The same numbering notation used in TAB can be used to describe the open strings and frets to be played when using text-only notation or verbal communications. Using an open position C as an example, we can describe it as 0003, indicating open strings four, three, and two with fret (3) being fingered on string one. An open position, D7 , indicated as 2020

As you can see that are numerous ways to describe a chord, either verbally Put your finger here…, in Standard Music Notation , TAB , and in text, graphically using a Chord Grid , etc.

Derived From

Today's chord, C7b9 is a derived chord from C7 . Take any chord progression with C7 in it and explore substituting C7b9 for C7.

View the C7 Learn A Chord A Day page…

Chord Spelling

Chord Spelling is simply knowing what the notes, the chord tones of a chord are.

The notes of all chords can be determined from its corresponding major scale based on the root of the chord and numeric formula.

The notes for C7b9 are:

C E G Bb Db

The chord tones are the 1 3 5 b7 b9 scale degrees of the parent C Major Scale .

Additional Information

A seven flat nine chord can be created by raising the root of a seventh chord one fret. If anyone of the notes is one half step or one fret higher than the perceived root of the chord you have the required seven flat nine of that root.

Recommended Fingering(s)

Alternate Fingering(s)

Here are a few alternate fingerings for today’s C7b9 chord depending on the context the chord is being used.

Alternate fingering(s) for C7b9:

• - 0 3 0 4

Fingering Notation

Fingering notation for a chord using text only, without using a chord grid, is typically done using the finger numbers from left to right, string four to string one (nose to toes). Here is the text notation for January 1st C chord.

A Typical text representation of a chord fingering without using a chord grid.

Note: A Zero (0) fingering notation represents an open string that doesn't require using a finger.

Fingering Chords

Additional alternate fingerings might be possible for selected chords. If there isn't an overwhelming musical reason for one fingering over another, let efficiency be the determining factor. Something as simple as longer fingers that can reach the lower strings four and three will go a long way to being efficient when switching chords.

Factors such as playing notes right behind the fret take less effort than in the middle of the fret. Less effort leads to overall efficiency; lower maintenance for maintaining your technique and efficiency leads to speed. This can help in determining what finger to use. Finger three can overlap finger four, and finger two can overlap finger three a little, allowing them to get closer to the fret.

Remember, the thumb's primary role is to support the fingers–not play notes. Think of the thumb as a Stagehand. He is unseen, doesn't get any lines, but is a critical member of the team. There are musical situations where you might use your thumb but they are mainly rhythmic / strumming reasons.

Chord Construction, Notes and Intervals

All chords can be constructed based on their intervals relative to the major scale of the root or letter name of the chord. The individual names of the notes of the chord can also be determined from the same scale.

The chord tones for C7b9 are: C E G Bb Db

C7b9 is the 1 3 5 b7 b9 of the C Major Scale based on the root (C) of the chord.

9th Chords (9, m9, maj9)

A 9th chord is a 5-part chord.

For a 5-part 9th chord, the root is implied and displaced for the ninth. Optionally the 3rd of a 7th chord can be lowered two frets (a whole step) for 1 9 5 b7. This really works if you have already played the chord with the third present and establishing the color of the chord.

To create a ninth chord raise the root of a 4-part chord two frets. This applies to a 7th, maj7, m7, 6, m6, m7b5, etc… Most all 4-part chords can be turned into ninth chords. For a 7th chord this would be a 9 3 5 b7.

This same process can be applied to a triad by raising the root two frets. For these chords they are typically called add2 or add9 chords.

Chords are pretty flexible and can be implied by containing the notes of the chord that make it different then another chord types with the same root. Take C and Cm, C is C E G and Cm is C Eb G. The third of the chord the E or Eb is a color tone and is responsible for making a major chord different sounding then a minor chord with the same root.

Altered Chords

Alterations are applied to the 9th, 5th, 11th and thirteenth of a chord. The common alterations are the b5, #5, b9, #9, #11, b13.

Alternate notation for a sharp (♯) is a plus sign + and for a flat (♭) is a minus sign -

Altered Ninths

Altered ninths typically only apply to seventh chords.

An altered nine chord is created by raising the root of a seventh chord one fret for a 7b9 or three frets for a 7#9. Alternate notations include 7-9 and 7+9

Next Steps

After memorizing today's C7b9 chord and when you are able to switch in time with other chords, the next step is adding various Strums , Fingerpicking patterns, and exploring the Movable Chord versions of today's chord, to your ukulele skills.