Dm9 Guitar Chord

Dm9 is the D minor ninth chord. It has five notes: D, F, A, C and E. The shape on this page puts the root on the A string at the 5th fret with one finger laid across the three strings above.

Root on the A string at the 5th fret, with one finger laid across the top strings at the 5th. Five strings, no full barre, movable.

How to play Dm9, step by step

Index finger: 3rd fret, D string
Middle finger: 5th fret, A string
Ring finger: press flat across the G to high E strings at fret 5
Strum from the A string down, skipping the low E.

The index sits alone at the 3rd fret and the ring finger covers three strings at the 5th. Set the index first, then drop the ring across the top.

More ways to play Dm9

There are 2 common Dm9 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.

Dm9 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 10, played 10 12 10 10 10 12 — Barre at fret 10

If notes are missing

Strings under the ring finger drop out: It has to cover the G, B and high E strings at the 5th fret. Straighten the finger and let it fall slightly onto its side.
The index note is weak: The index holds the D string at the 3rd fret, and it is the flat third of the chord. Press with the tip right behind the fret.
The low E rings: It is not part of the chord. Mute it with the fretting thumb or start the strum at the A string.

What makes it a Dm9

D · F · A · C · E 1 ♭3 5 ♭7 9

Dm9 is a Dm7 chord with a ninth added: D, F, A and C make Dm7, and the E on top makes it a ninth.

It is the ii chord in the key of C, which makes it one of the most used minor ninths in jazz: the ii V I in C runs Dm9, G9, Cmaj9. It also works as a fuller D minor in any song that contains one.

Dm9 vs Dm7

Dm9 is Dm7 with an E added. Dm7 sounds plain and open; Dm9 sounds warmer and more deliberate.

Dm7 is an easy open position chord on four strings, while Dm9 needs three fingers at the 3rd and 5th frets. The extra effort buys a much richer chord, which is why jazz charts ask for the ninth.

Dm9 chord questions

What is the difference between Dm9 and Dm7?

Dm9 adds an E, the ninth, to the four notes of Dm7. Same function, fuller sound.

Where does Dm9 fit in a progression?

It is the ii chord in the key of C. The classic jazz move is Dm9 to G9 to Cmaj9, and this page links to both of the others.

Is Dm9 hard to play?

It takes three fingers with one of them covering three strings, which needs practice. There is no full barre, and the shape is easier than it looks once the ring finger learns to lie flat.

Is Dm9 the same as Dm add9?

No. Dm add9 has a ninth but no seventh. Dm9 contains the C, the flat seventh, as well as the E.

Which strings do I strum?

Five, from the A string down, so the D on the A string is the lowest note.