D Dominant 9th
Hear the D Dominant 9th chord played for you.
D9
D – F♯ – A – C – E
Formula:R-M3-P5-m7-M9
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-m7-M9
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-b7-9
Introduction
The D Dominant 9th chord is a five-note chord made up of D, F♯, A, C, and E. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth.
The D Dominant 9th piano chord (D9) consists of the notes D, F#, A, C, E. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-b7-9.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of D Dominant 9th has 2 sharps.
F♯C♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of D Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the D major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — D Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-m7-M9
The D Dominant 9th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-m7-M9 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-m7-M9 show the distance between each note in the chord.
D Dominant 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the D Dominant 9th chord?
The D Dominant 9th chord (D9) contains 5 notes: D, F#, A, C, E. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9.
How is D9 used in music?
D9 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 D9?
D9 uses scale degrees 1-3-5-b7-9, giving it its distinctive sound.
Practice Tips
- Start by placing your thumb on D and spacing remaining fingers across the chord.
- Practice D9 slowly with separate hands before combining.
- Listen carefully to the tension created by the altered tones in this chord.
- Try voicing D9 in different octaves to find the most comfortable position.
- Resolve D9 to a nearby chord to hear its function in context.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.