Eb7b9: guitar chord voicings, inversions, scales and arpeggios

Eb7b9 (7b9) is an interactive GuitarArcanum page with chord formula, intervals, voicings, inversions, triads, pentatonic patterns, scales and arpeggios on the fretboard.

Chord formula

Interval formula: 1 3 5 b7 b9. A dominant 7th with a flat 9th — a tense, dark dominant that pulls especially hard into minor.

Chord tones

The 3rd–b7 tritone gives the pull; the b9 adds edge and darkness. The top three notes (3 – b7 – b9) spell a diminished chord.

Sound character

Tense, dark and dramatic — common in flamenco, bebop and minor turnarounds.

Harmonic function

An altered dominant, most often the V in a minor key (G7b9 → Cm).

Typical progressions

  • Bb7b9 → Cm
  • Fm7b5 – Bb7b9 – Ebm
  • C7b9 → Dm

Guitar voicing advice

Root on the 5th string. The root is often left to the bass while the guitar takes 3 – b7 – b9 (a diminished shape).

Compatible scales for Eb7b9

Other chord qualities on the Eb root

Compare this chord with other qualities sharing the same root.