D9 — D, F♯, A, C, E — is a dominant 9th chord: major triad + minor 7th + major 9th — a dominant chord with the 9th added on top for a rich, slightly bluesy colour.
Intervals
The D dominant 9 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- D→F#major 3rd4 semitones
- F#→Aminor 3rd3 semitones
- A→Cminor 3rd3 semitones
- C→Emajor 3rd4 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the D dominant 9 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the D dominant 9 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1D
- 3F#
- 5A
- ♭7C
- 9E
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 9th (E). It sits more than an octave above the root, which is why the chord needs a wide voicing — in tight piano voicings the 9th usually appears in the top register while the root and lower triad tones cluster below.
In context
Functions as the V9 in its target key — a richer, more colourful alternative to the plain V7 dominant.
Drill it
The D dominant 9 chord is one of 48 in the Chord Trainer. Open the full trainer to practice it alongside related chords with timing and best-time tracking.
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Frequently asked
- What notes are in a D9 chord?
- D9 contains five notes: D, F♯, A, C, E.
- How is D9 different from D7?
- D9 adds the 9th (E) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 9th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is D9 used in music?
- Functions as the V9 in its target key — a richer, more colourful alternative to the plain V7 dominant.