F Minor-Major 9th Chord

Formula R – 9 – ♭3 – 5 – 7

F Minor-Major 9th is built from the notes F, G, A♭, C, E. The interval from F to G is a major 2nd (2 semitones), from F to A♭ is a minor 3rd (3 semitones), from F to C is a perfect 5th (7 semitones), from F to E is a major 7th (11 semitones). This chord contains 1 flatted note.

The minor-major 9th combines the dark tension of a minor-major 7th with the added color of a 9th. It's exotic, cinematic, and rare — the kind of chord that makes a listener stop and pay attention.

Built from R, ♭3, 5, 7, 9, this chord takes the already-tense minor-major 7th (with its clashing ♭3 and natural 7) and adds a major 9th. The 9th slightly softens the harshness of the m(maj7), giving it a more complex, nuanced character. It belongs to the harmonic minor and melodic minor families.

A rare voicing that works best as a 4-note shape with the 5th omitted. Start from a minor-major 7th shape and add the 9th, or modify an m9 shape by raising the ♭7 to a natural 7. Best used sparingly in jazz ballads, film-score passages, or chromatic line cliches.

F·RG·9A♭·♭3C·5E·7
𝄞F (R)G (9)A♭ (♭3)C (5)E (7)F (R)G (9)A♭ (♭3)C (5)E (7)
FmMaj9
JazzFilm scoresClassical

Sign up free to save favorites

100% free. No credit card required.