About the D9 chord
The dominant ninth extends a seventh chord with the ninth. It is the sound of funk and soul rhythm guitar, and a richer substitute for any dominant seventh. The symbol for it is D9.
How to play D9
- Lay your index finger flat across the top 4 strings at fret 2, pressing just behind the fret.
- Put your middle finger on the B string at fret 3.
- Put your ring finger on the A string at fret 5.
- Put your little finger on the G string at fret 5.
- Strum and don't play the low E string.
1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 little
Chords in the key of D major
These are the chords built on each note of the D major scale, so they all sound good together with D9. The Roman numeral under each one is its position in the key.
Other D chords
D9 chord questions
What notes are in a D9 chord?
D9 is made of D, F♯, A, C and E. In intervals that is 1, 3, 5, ♭7, 9 above the root, D.
What is the easiest way to play D9?
The first shape above is the most common one: x 5 2 5 3 2 from the low E string to the high E, where x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. Start there, and try the other shapes once it feels comfortable.
Is D9 a barre chord?
The main shape uses a barre, where one finger holds down several strings at once. Press just behind the fret and roll the finger slightly onto its side.