D9

D 9th chord

Notes

DF#ACE

Intervals

135b79

Root

D

Voicings on standard tuning

Voicing 1
Voicing 2
Voicing 3
Voicing 4
Voicing 5
Voicing 6

About D9

Interval formula

1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9

Sound character

a dominant 7th with extra grit — funk and blues staple

Where it appears

The funk chord — think James Brown stabs and blues turnarounds.

Common progressions using D9

12-bar blues (I7–IV7–V7)

D7→G7→A7→D7

D9 works as the I chord of a blues in D.

ii–V–I in G

As a dominant, D9 pulls strongly to G.

Turnaround

G→D9→G

A classic way to end a blues or soul chorus and loop back.

Other D chords

Same quality, other roots