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

To play the G 9(b5)/Ab chord on piano, play the G 9(b5) chord (G, B, Db, F and A) 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 G 9(b5)/Ab chord means a G 9(b5) chord with Ab in the bass.

G 9(b5)/Ab

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related slash chords

A 9(#5)/G#