We begin our study of extended chord arpeggios with an analysis of ninth chord arpeggios.
This post will provide fingerings for ninth chord arpeggios, along with instruction on how to play the arpeggios on a guitar with any root note.
Major Ninth Arpeggios
The chord formula for a major ninth chord is 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.
A major ninth arpeggio fingering contains the same notes as a major ninth chord — the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
For example, both a Cmaj9 chord and a C major ninth arpeggio fingering contain the notes C, E, G, B and D — the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth notes in a C major scale.
A common fingering for a major ninth arpeggio is shown in fig.1, with the ninth scale degree highlighted in blue.
Fig.1
This fingering will allow you to play a major ninth arpeggio starting on any note:
- To play a C major ninth arpeggio, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.2a).
- To play an F major ninth arpeggio, start the pattern on the F on the sixth string, 13th fret (fig.2b).
Fig.2
Dominant Ninth Arpeggios
The chord formula for a dominant ninth chord is 1, 3, 5, b7, 9.
A dominant ninth arpeggio fingering contains the same notes as a dominant ninth chord — the first, third, fifth, flatted seventh and ninth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Both a C9 chord and a C dominant ninth arpeggio fingering contain the notes C, E, G, Bb and D — the first, third, fifth, flatted seventh and ninth notes in a C major scale.
A common fingering for a dominant ninth arpeggio is shown in fig.3, with the ninth scale degree highlighted in blue.
Fig.3
This fingering will allow you to play a dominant ninth arpeggio starting on any note:
- To play a C dominant ninth arpeggio, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.4a).
- To play an F dominant ninth arpeggio, start the pattern on the F on the sixth string, 13th fret (fig.4b).
Fig.4
Minor Ninth Arpeggios
The chord formula for a minor ninth chord is 1, b3, 5, b7, 9.
A minor ninth arpeggio fingering contains the same notes as a minor ninth chord — the first, flatted third, fifth, flatted seventh and ninth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Both a Cm9 chord and a C minor ninth arpeggio fingering contain the notes C, Eb, G, Bb and D — the first, flatted third, fifth, flatted seventh and ninth notes in a C major scale.
A common fingering for a minor ninth arpeggio is shown in fig.5, with the ninth scale degree highlighted in blue.
Fig.5
This fingering will allow you to play a minor ninth arpeggio starting on any note:
- To play a C minor ninth arpeggio, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.6a).
- To play an F dominant ninth arpeggio, start the pattern on the F on the sixth string, 13th fret (fig.6b).
Fig.6
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