How do you play the F 9(b5)/Ab chord?

To play the F 9(b5)/Ab chord on piano, play the F 9(b5) chord (F, A, Cb, Eb and G) with Ab as the lowest bass note. Place the Ab note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The F 9(b5)/Ab chord means a F 9(b5) chord with Ab in the bass.

F 9(b5)/Ab

Q: What notes are in the F 9(b5)/Ab chord?

The F 9(b5)/Ab chord uses the 5 notes of the F 9(b5) chord — F (Perfect unison), A (Major third), Cb (Diminished fifth), Eb (Minor seventh) and G (Major ninth) — with Ab played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The F 9(b5) chord consists of the F (Perfect unison), A (Major third), Cb (Diminished fifth), Eb (Minor seventh) and G (Major ninth) notes, with Ab as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a F 9(b5)/Ab chord

How to play the F 9(b5)/Ab chord

Play Ab as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find F (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add A (Major third) — 4 semitones above F
Add Cb (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above F
Add Eb (Minor seventh) — 10 semitones above F
Add G (Major ninth) — 14 semitones above F
Press all 6 notes simultaneously to sound the F 9(b5)/Ab chord

Related slash chords

G 9(#5)/Ab