Listen plays the chord. Play Along lights up each note in order so you can follow.
D♯9♭5
D♯ – F♯♯ – A – C♯ – E♯
Formula:R-M3-d5-m7-M9
Intervals:P1-M3-d5-m7-M9
Scale Degrees:1-3-b5-b7-9
Introduction
The D# 9♭5 chord in root position on a piano keyboard, notes D#, G, A, C#, F.
The D♯ 9♭5 chord is a five-note chord made up of D♯, F♯♯, A, C♯, and E♯. It is built from a root, major third, diminished fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth.
Notes
Notes:D♯ – F♯♯ – A – C♯ – E♯
Key Signature
The key of D# 9♭5 (enharmonically equivalent to Eb 9♭5) has 3 flats.
B♭E♭A♭
Order of flats
Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Mnemonic:Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Chords in the Key of D♯ Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the D♯ major scale:
The D♯ 9♭5 is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-d5-m7-M9 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-d5-m7-M9 show the distance between each note in the chord.
D♯ 9♭5 — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the D# 9♭5 chord?
The D# 9♭5 chord (D#9♭5) contains 5 notes: D#, G, A, C#, F. Formula: R-M3-d5-m7-M9.
How is D#9♭5 used in music?
D#9♭5 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for D#9♭5?
D#9♭5 uses scale degrees 1-3-b5-b7-9, giving it its distinctive sound.
Practice Tips
Start by placing your thumb on D# and spacing remaining fingers across the chord.
Practice D#9♭5 slowly with separate hands before combining.
Listen carefully to the tension created by the altered tones in this chord.
Try voicing D#9♭5 in different octaves to find the most comfortable position.
Resolve D#9♭5 to a nearby chord to hear its function in context.
Keep going with the 9♭5 chord — these pages cover the underlying theory, the connected reference material, and the practice tools that work with this chord.
