C seven flat nine
C7b9 Piano Voicings
C7b9 is an altered dominant that resolves powerfully to a minor or major tonic. The flat ninth adds a tense, dramatic colour heard throughout bebop.
Drill C7b9 in all 12 keysThe notes in C7b9
- C R
- E 3
- G 5
- Bb ♭7
- Db ♭9
C7b9 voicings on piano
Each voicing is the exact shape the trainer drills. Press play to hear it — as a block chord or rolled note by note.
Root Position
C · E · G · Bb · Db R · 3 · 5 · ♭7 · ♭9
Shell Voicing
C · E · Bb R · 3 · ♭7
Rootless A
E · G · Bb · Db 3 · 5 · ♭7 · ♭9
Rootless B
Bb · Db · E · G ♭7 · ♭9 · 3 · 5
Where C7b9 fits in a ii-V-I
C7b9 is an altered dominant that resolves powerfully to a minor or major tonic. The flat ninth adds a tense, dramatic colour heard throughout bebop.
The fastest way to internalise C7b9 is to drill it in context across all 12 keys until the shape is automatic.
Practice the full ii-V-I progressionC7b9 — frequently asked questions
What notes are in C7b9?
C7b9 contains C, E, G, B♭ and D♭ — root, third, fifth, flat seventh and flat ninth.
When do you use C7b9?
C7b9 is commonly used as a V chord resolving to a minor i, where its flat ninth strengthens the pull toward resolution.