D9
D Dominant 9th — a dominant seventh widened with the ninth — fuller, funkier movement toward the resolution.
The keys
D – F♯ – A – C – E
What's inside D9
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| D | Root | 1 |
| F♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| A | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| C | Minor 7th | b7 |
| E | Major 9th | 9 |
A working voicing
Split the chord between two hands the way working players do — a solid shell low down, the colour tones up top:
| Hand | Keys |
|---|---|
| Left (shell) | D2 – C3 |
| Right (colour) | G♭4 – E5 |
Where D9 lives
As the I chord
D9 → G → A → D9
The classic I–IV–V–I motion with this chord as home.
In a ii–V–I
Em7 → A7 → D9
The strongest cadence in harmony, resolving onto this chord.
Put D9 under your fingers
Hear every voicing, see the keys light up, and drill it in the interactive Chord & Voicing Lab.
Open the Chord & Voicing Lab →