F#7b9: guitar chord voicings, inversions, scales and arpeggios

F#7b9 (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

  • C#7b9 → Cm
  • G#m7b5 – C#7b9 – F#m
  • D#7b9 → 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 F#7b9

Other chord qualities on the F# root

Compare this chord with other qualities sharing the same root.