AbmMaj9 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of AbmMaj9 in Root Position

The AbmMaj9 chord, consisting of the notes Ab, Cb, Eb, G, and Bb, is a minor chord that is built on the key of Ab and features an additional major 7th (G) and a major 9th (Bb). Like the AbmMaj7, it contains an augmented fifth so it’s pretty dissonant. In this article, we’ll explore the music theory underlying the AbmMaj9 chord, including its construction, common voicings, and its role in chord progressions.

 

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AbmMaj9 Chord Inversions

 

The AbmMaj9 chord has a total of 4 inversions:

Piano Keyboard Diagrams

Chord Inversions on Piano

Chord inversion diagrams provide a visual representation of a chord’s structure and the different positions it can take on the keyboard. However, it’s important to note that not all of these positions are practical or comfortable to play. To effectively play chords on the piano, it’s essential to study voicing – the specific arrangement of notes in a chord, including their octave placement and distribution across the keyboard.

By experimenting with different voicings and fingerings, pianists can find the most comfortable and efficient way to play each chord while still preserving its intended sound and harmonic function. This can involve playing some notes of the chord in higher or lower octaves or breaking up the chord into smaller intervals to create a smoother and more balanced sound.

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Music Theory and Harmony of AbmMaj9

 

Building the AbmMaj9 Chord: Different Approaches

Starting from the Ab Major Scale

A minor major 9th chord is built by combining the Root, a minor 3rd, a 5th, a major 7th, and a major 9th interval from a minor scale, however, for educational purposes, it may be clearer to demonstrate its construction using a major scale, as it better illustrates the relationship between intervals and their qualities.

For example, to build an AbmMaj9 chord, you can start with the Ab Major scale:

 

 

 

To create an AbmMaj9 chord, apply the formula R, m3, 5, 7, 9 in the following manner:

1. Begin with the Root note, which is Ab.
2. Add the minor 3rd interval, Cb (which is equivalent to a natural B but it’s called Cb to preserve the basic interval structure of the chord).
3. Include the 5th note, which is Eb.
4. Add the major 7th G.
5. Finally, add the major 9th interval Bb, which is the 9th note of the scale.

By following this simple formula, you can create a minor major 9th chord from any major scale.

 

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by Combining Intervals

Another way to build a minor major 9th chord is by combining specific intervals – a minor 3rd, a major 3rd, another major 3rd, and a minor 3rd.

m3 + 3 + 3 + m3 = minor major 9th chords

If we observe the intervals between the notes, we can notice that:

• Ab-Cb creates a minor 3rd,
• Cb-Eb forms a major 3rd interval,
• Eb-G is a major 3rd
• and G-Bb is a minor 3rd interval.

By stacking these four intervals together, we can build the AbmMaj9 chord.

 

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by Combining Chords

Another trick to build a minMaj9 chord is by combining a minor triad with the major chord built on its fifth note. To create an AbmMaj9 chord, for instance, you can combine an Ab minor triad (Ab, Cb, Eb) with an Eb Major chord (Eb, G, Bb). These two chords share the note Eb, and when played together, they form an AbmMaj9 chord.

Ab minor + Eb Major = AbmMaj9

 

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How to Use AbmMaj9 in a Chord Progression

 

The AbmMaj9 chord is a fuller and more dissonant version of the AbmMaj7. It is characterized by the presence of a major 7th interval, which is not found in either the natural minor or major scales. It’s diatonic in other scales like the harmonic and melodic minor scale, which features a minor major seventh chord on their first degree.

 

Most common uses of AbmMaj9

Typically, both the AbmMaj7 and the AbmMaj9 chords are used as passing chords, temporarily transitioning towards a more stable Abm7. Additionally, they can serve as ending chords in specific musical contexts. This is because both chords produce a mysterious and intriguing atmosphere, making them suitable for certain musical styles and compositions.

 

Non-diatonic positions in Natural minor and Major Scales

The major seventh interval of the AbmMaj9 chord, which is G, clashes with the Gb note present in both natural minor and major scales.

• The AbmMaj9 chord is commonly used on the first degree of minor scales or on the sixth degree of major scales, as part of a chromatic progression towards a minor 7th chord.
• It can also be used on the fourth degree of minor scales and on the second degree of major scales.
• While less common, it can still be used on the fifth degree of both minor and major scales.
• The AbmMaj9 chord is not commonly used as a standalone chord (except in endings).

Here are the tables of the major and natural minor scales that include the Ab minor 7th, which can be complemented by an AbmMaj9 chord.

 

on Natural minor Scales

Non diatonic passing chord to the:

• Tonic chord in Ab minor
• Subdominant chord in Eb minor
• Dominant chord in C# minor (less common) as G#mMaj9

 

on Major Scales

Non diatonic passing chord to the:

• Supertonic chord in Gb Major
• Mediant chord in E Major (less common) as G#mMaj9
• Submediant chord in B Major as G#mMaj9

 

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AbmMaj9 Function in Major and Minor Keys

The AbmMaj9 chord does not belong to the diatonic set of chords and therefore does not have a specific functional role in major and minor keys’ harmonic progressions. However, it can be utilized to add tonal color in specific situations where modulation to an Abm7 chord is appropriate or feasible. Typically, this chord is found close to a variation of an Ab minor chord, such as Abm6, Abm7, or Abm9, to create diatonic or chromatic modulations.

 

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AbmMaj9 as Passing Chord in Ab Minor

In the key of Ab minor, the AbmMaj9 serves as a passing chord to the Tonic chord, Abm7. The chord’s major 7th note G, clashes with the Gb note found in the Ab minor scale, creating a tension that needs to be resolved. This can be achieved by transitioning the chord to a more stable Abm7 chord, which typically occurs within the same measure as the AbmMaj9 chord.

Alternatively, the AbmMaj9 chord can be left alone as an ending chord, but it’s too dissonant to be played for a whole measure within a chord progression.

AbmMaj9 as Passing Chord on the i degree

The following chord progressions are examples of how the Ab minor major 9th chord can serve as a passing chord toward the tonic chord.

 

Chromatic modulation

 

i VI VII III

This modulation is just a suggestion, and the voicing provided is merely a recommendation. Play the root note Ab with your left hand and play the rest of the notes with your right hand.

i iv VI VII

 

Circle Progression

 

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AbmMaj9 as Passing Chord in Eb Minor

The AbmMaj9 chord can be used as a passing chord in the Eb minor scale which has an Ab min7 on the fourth degree.

AbmMaj9 as Passing Chord on the iv degree

The following chord progressions feature an AbmMaj9 chord in modulation to the iv degree in the key of Eb minor

 

iv III VI VII

 

i iv VI v

 

Circle Progression

 

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AbmMaj9 as Passing Chord in Db minor

Check G#mMaj9 in C# minor

 

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AbmMaj9 as Passing Chord in Gb Major

In the Gb major scale, the AbmMaj9 chord can also serve as a passing chord on the ii degree.

AbmMaj9 as Passing Chord on the ii degree

 

ii V I

 

Circle Progression

 

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AbmMaj9 as Passing Chord in Fb Major

Check G#mMaj9 in E Major

 

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AbmMaj9 as Passing Chord in Cb Major

Check G#mMaj9 in B Major

 

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Alternative Names for AbmMaj9 Chord

• Ab-Δ9
• Ab mM9
• Ab m(Δ9)
• Ab-Δmaj9
• Ab minΔ9
• Ab-(Maj9)
• Ab mM7/9
• Ab m7+(9)
• Ab-Δ(add9)
• Ab minorΔ9
• Ab mΔ add2
• Ab mΔ add9
• Ab min maj9
• Ab min/maj9
• Ab min(Maj9)
• Ab min(Maj9)
• Ab m(maj7/9)
• Ab m(+7) add2
• Ab m(+7) add9
• Ab minor(Maj9)
• Ab m(maj7) add9
• Ab m(maj7) add2
• Ab minor major 9
• Ab minor major 9th

 

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