Dmaj9 Guitar Chord

Dmaj9 is the D major ninth chord. It has five notes: D, F sharp, A, C sharp and E. It is a Dmaj7 chord with a ninth added, and the shape here fits all five on five strings.

4fr21433×DF♯C♯EA

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 Dmaj9, step by step

  1. Index finger: 4th fret, D string
  2. Middle finger: 5th fret, A string
  3. Ring finger: press flat across the B to high E strings at fret 5
  4. Pinky finger: 6th fret, G string
  5. Strum from the A string down, skipping the low E.

Place the ring finger across the B and high E strings at the 5th fret first, then add the pinky at the 6th. Building it in that order keeps the shape from collapsing.

More ways to play Dmaj9

There are 2 common Dmaj9 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
Dmaj9 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 10, played 10 12 11 11 10 12

Full and glassy. Every note of the chord is present, which is rare for a five note chord on six strings.

If notes are missing

The strings under the ring finger are uneven
It covers the B and high E at the 5th fret. Lay the finger flat instead of pressing with the tip.
The pinky note is weak
The pinky holds the G string at the 6th fret, the major seventh of the chord. It is the note that makes this a maj9 rather than a Dadd9, so check it separately.
The low E rings
Not part of the chord. Mute it with the fretting thumb or start the strum at the A string.

What makes it a Dmaj9

D · F♯ · A · C♯ · E 1 3 5 7 9

Dmaj9 is a Dmaj7 chord with a ninth added: D, F sharp, A and C sharp make Dmaj7, and the E on top makes it a ninth.

It is the I chord of D major at its softest, and the resting chord at the end of a ii V I in D. Major ninths sound finished without sounding closed, which is why they end so many jazz and bossa nova arrangements.

Dmaj9 vs Dmaj7

Dmaj9 is Dmaj7 with an E added. Dmaj7 is a small, sweet chord on four strings; Dmaj9 is wider and more atmospheric.

The shapes are unrelated. Dmaj7 sits in open position on the top four strings, while Dmaj9 needs four fingers at the 4th to 6th frets. Both are worth knowing, for different songs.

Dmaj9 chord questions

What is the difference between Dmaj9 and Dadd9?

Dmaj9 contains the C sharp, the major seventh, as well as the E. Dadd9 has no seventh: it is D major with an E added. Dadd9 is a bright strumming chord, Dmaj9 is a soft jazz chord.

What is the difference between Dmaj9 and D9?

D9 has a C natural, the flat seventh, and pulls toward G. Dmaj9 has a C sharp and stays where it is.

Is Dmaj9 hard to play?

It is a four finger shape with one finger covering two strings. There is no barre, and once the ring finger learns to lie flat the shape is comfortable.

Where is Dmaj9 used?

As the I chord of D major in jazz, soul and bossa nova, and anywhere Dmaj7 is written and a wider sound would suit.

Which strings do I strum?

Five, from the A string down, keeping the low E quiet.

Chords to learn next

Other D chords