F dominant 9th chord on piano
F9 is a dominant 9th chord built on F. It uses the notes F - A - C - E♭ - G and sounds rich and funky, a staple of funk, gospel and jazz.
- Notes
- F A C E♭ G
- Formula
- 1 - 3 - 5 - ♭7 - 9
- Right hand fingering
- 1 - 2 - 3 - 5 on the upper four notes
- Left hand fingering
- 5 on the root
- Chord symbol
- F9
How to play F9 step by step
- Find F. F is the white key just left of each group of three black keys.
- Add A, 4 half steps above F.
- Add C, 7 half steps above F.
- Add E♭, 10 half steps above F.
- Add G, 14 half steps above F.
- Press all 5 keys together with fingers 1 - 2 - 3 - 5 on the upper four notes of your right hand. Keep your wrist level and let the weight of your arm do the work.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F dominant 9th chord?
The F dominant 9th chord (F9) contains 5 notes: F, A, C, E♭, G. Its formula is 1 - 3 - 5 - ♭7 - 9.
How do you play F9 on piano?
Play the root F alone with your left hand, then play A, C, E♭, G with your right hand. That spreads the five notes comfortably across both hands.