D9 Guitar Chord

D9 is the D dominant ninth chord. It has five notes on paper: D, F sharp, A, C and E. The shape on this page uses four strings and leaves out the A, the fifth, which is the note a ninth chord misses least.

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Root on the A string at the 5th fret, no barre. Four strings carrying the root, third, flat seventh and ninth; the fifth is left out, which no ear misses in a ninth chord.

How to play D9, step by step

  1. Index finger: 4th fret, D string
  2. Middle finger: 5th fret, A string
  3. Ring finger: 5th fret, G string
  4. Pinky finger: 5th fret, B string
  5. Strum only the A and D and G and B strings, and stop the downstroke at the B.

Mute this shape with the palm between strums. Four strings in the middle of the neck is a rhythm guitar sound, not a strummed folk chord.

More ways to play D9

There are 2 common D9 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Barre at fret 10
D9 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 10, played 10 x 10 11 10 12

Full and low, with the ninth ringing on the top string over a heavy root. This is the shape that sounds like a horn section.

If it sounds cluttered

The low E rings
It is not part of the shape. Mute it with the index fingertip, or begin the strum on the A string.
The high E rings
Four strings only. Let the pinky lean onto the high E to deaden it and stop the strum at the B.
The stretch is awkward
The index is at the 4th fret and three fingers sit at the 5th. Keep the thumb behind the middle of the neck and let the hand open sideways rather than twisting.

What makes it a D9

D · F♯ · A · C · E 1 3 5 ♭7 9

D9 is a D7 chord with a ninth added. D, F sharp, A and C make D7; the E on top makes it D9. This shape holds the root, third, flat seventh and ninth and drops the fifth.

It is the V chord of G and the I chord of a blues in D. Ninth chords keep the forward push of a seventh and add a smoother surface, which is why they became standard in funk and soul rhythm playing.

D9 vs D7

D9 is D7 with an E added. Both resolve toward G, but D7 sounds plain and direct while D9 sounds richer.

There is a shape difference worth knowing: D7 has an easy open position version on four strings, while D9 sits at the 4th and 5th frets. The ninth costs a little more effort for a noticeably smoother sound.

D9 chord questions

What is the difference between D9 and Dadd9?

D9 has a C in it, the flat seventh, which makes it a dominant chord that wants to move. Dadd9 has no seventh: it is D major with an E added, bright and settled.

Why is the fifth missing?

Five notes will not fit under four fingers on four strings. The fifth adds the least to the chord's identity, so it is dropped and nobody notices.

Is D9 the same as D7?

No. D9 adds the ninth, E, on top of D7. They fill the same role in a progression but sound different.

Where is D9 used?

As the V chord in G, as the I chord of a blues in D, and in funk, soul and jazz rhythm parts.

Which strings do I strum?

The A, D, G and B strings. Keep both E strings quiet.

Chords to learn next

Other D chords