How to play the Bb69 chord on guitar

The Bb69 chord, pronounced B-flat sixth added ninth, is a rich and versatile chord that adds a jazzy, sophisticated flavor to progressions. Notable for its smooth voice leading, the Bb69 is often used in jazz, R&B, and neo-soul genres. Its complex harmony includes the root, third, fifth, sixth, and ninth notes of the scale, making it a favorite of artists like Erykah Badu and D'Angelo.

The most popular way to play the Bb69 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 6th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Bb69 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger on the 6th fret of the 1st (high E), 2nd (B), 3rd (G), 4th (D), 5th (A), and 6th (low E) strings, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, place your fingers in the correct positions and strum all six strings together in a downward motion.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Bb69 chord, try playing a basic Bb major chord instead. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 1st (high E) string, your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd (G) string, and your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd (B) string.

While the Bb69 chord can be played in an open position, playing it as a barre chord allows you to easily transition to other chords and play it in different positions on the neck.

Here's how to play a Bb69 bar chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 6th fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum from the 5th (A) string down.

The Bb69 chord adds a dreamy, lush feel to progressions, often creating a wistful or sentimental vibe. Some common chord progressions featuring the Bb69 chord include:

• I - vi - IV - V (Bb69 - Gm7 - Eb6/9 - F9)
• ii - V - I (Cm7 - F9 - Bb69) Used in "Girl from Ipanema"
• iii - vi - ii - V (Dm7 - Gm7 - Cm7 - F9)
• vi - ii - V - I (Gm7 - Cm7 - F9 - Bb69)
• I - V - vi - IV (Bb69 - F9 - Gm7 - Eb6/9)

To master the Bb69 guitar chord, try practicing the chord progression Bb69 - Dm7 - Gm7 - C7. This sequence allows you to switch between chords that share similar shapes and finger positions, making it easier to transition smoothly.

Another effective drill is to play the individual notes of the Bb69 chord (Bb, D, F, G, C) as an arpeggio. Start slowly and focus on clean, precise fingering. Gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the chord shape and the order of the notes.

Here are 8 popular songs you can play with the Bb6/9 chord.

1. All of Me by John Legend (Bb6/9, Eb, Cm7, Abmaj7, Gm7)
2. Sunday Morning by Maroon 5 (Dm7, Bb6/9, F)
3. Don't Know Why by Norah Jones (Bb6/9, Ebmaj7, Cm7, F7)
4. Just the Two of Us by Grover Washington Jr. (Bbmaj7, Bb6/9, Gm7, Cm7, Dm7, F7sus4)
5. How Deep Is Your Love by Bee Gees (Cm7, Bb6/9, Gm7, Cm7, F7)
6. Kiss from a Rose by Seal (Bb6/9, Gm7, Ebmaj7, F7)
7. Careless Whisper by George Michael (Dm7, G7, Cm7, Bb6/9, Gm7)
8. Easy by Commodores (Cm7, Bb6/9, Fm7, Gm7, Ebmaj7)