A♭7♭9
Ab Dominant 7th Flat 9 — a dominant with a dark flattened ninth — sharp tension that resolves with real drama, especially into minor.
The keys
A♭ – C – E♭ – G♭ – A
What's inside A♭7♭9
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | Root | 1 |
| C | Major 3rd | 3 |
| E♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| G♭ | Minor 7th | b7 |
| A (spelled B♭♭) | Flat 9th | b9 |
A working voicing
Split the chord between two hands the way working players do — a solid shell low down, the colour tones up top:
| Hand | Keys |
|---|---|
| Left (shell) | A♭2 – G♭3 |
| Right (colour) | C5 – A5 |
Where A♭7♭9 lives
Hard resolution
A♭7♭9 → D♭m9
Altered dominants resolve with maximum drama — especially into minor.
Chromatic approach
E♭m7 → A♭7♭9 → D♭
The alteration sharpens the pull of the standard two-five.
Put A♭7♭9 under your fingers
Hear every voicing, see the keys light up, and drill it in the interactive Chord & Voicing Lab.
Open the Chord & Voicing Lab →