B dominant 7th sharp 9 · Guitar
B7♯9 Chord on Guitar
The B7♯9 chord (B dominant 7th sharp 9) is built from the notes B, D#, F#, A and D. The guitar fingering for it is shown below.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 6 (E): muted
- string 5 (A): fret 2 — middle finger
- string 4 (D): fret 1 — index finger
- string 3 (G): fret 2 — ring finger
- string 2 (B): fret 3 — little finger
- string 1 (E): muted
Notes in this chord
- B
- D♯
- F♯
- A
- D
Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – ♯9
How to play
B7♯9 can be played with open strings on guitar, which makes it an accessible shape for beginners. Strings marked ○ ring open, while strings marked ✕ are muted.
Theory behind the chord
Often called the Hendrix chord, the 7♯9 stacks a sharpened ninth over a dominant seventh. Major and minor thirds sound at once, producing the gritty clash that defines psychedelic rock and funk. On B7♯9 this structure sits on the root B, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – ♯9 map onto B, D#, F#, A and D.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the B7♯9 chord?
- B7♯9 contains the notes B, D#, F#, A and D. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – ♯9.
- How many ways can you play B7♯9?
- Minory lists a single guitar fingering for B7♯9.
- Is the B7♯9 chord hard to play?
- B7♯9 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.
Practise B7♯9 on your phone
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