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D9 chord on guitar

D9 (D dominant ninth) is D, F♯, A, C and E. The easiest way to play it is on the top five strings, written x54555. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 4th fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 5th fret. Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 3rd to 1st strings at the 5th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

D9

D dominant ninth · D F♯ A C E · 1 3 5 ♭7 9

  • 4th fret

    Root on the 5th string

    4fr21333DF♯CEA

    x54555

  • 10th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    10fr21314DCF♯AE

    10-x-10-11-10-12

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are D, the root.

How to play D9

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Root on the 5th string · 4th fret

    x54555
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 4th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 5th fret.
    • Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 3rd to 1st strings at the 5th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Root on the 6th string · 10th fret

    10-x-10-11-10-12
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 4th to 2nd strings at the 10th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 6th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 11th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 1st string, 12th fret.
    • Mute the 5th string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

Notes in the D9 chord

D9 is D, F♯, A, C and E, and it sounds full and funky, a seventh chord with more colour. From D, count 4 half steps up to F♯, 3 more to A, 3 more to C and 4 more to E. Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7 9. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with D lowest. See its inversions and keys on the D9 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after D9

G320003D9 is the V9 of G: it resolves there like a V7, with more colour.Gmxx5333The same pull into Gm, home in the minor key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on D

DDmD7Dmaj7Dm7Dsus2Dsus4Dadd9D6DdimDm7♭5Ddim7Daug

Dominant ninth chords on other notes

C9C♯9E♭9E9F9F♯9G9A♭9A9B♭9B9

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play D9 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is on the top five strings, written x54555. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 4th fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 5th fret. Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 3rd to 1st strings at the 5th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the D9 chord?

D9 is D, F♯, A, C and E. In the shape written x54555, the 5th to 1st strings play D, F♯, C, E and A.

Is D9 a barre chord?

No: none of its shapes here needs a barre.

How many ways can you play D9 on guitar?

This page shows two: x54555 (4th fret) and 10-x-10-11-10-12 (10th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with D9?

Yes. “Make a beat in G major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in G major on G D Em C, the key where D9 is the V9 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in G major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in G major on G D Em C, the key where D9 is the V9 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in G majorAll guitar chords

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