Db9(#5) Chord on Guitar: How To Play the Db Dominant Ninth Sharp Fifth chord
Welcome to our tutorial on the Db 9(#5) chord, a member of the Augmented Chords family. This unique chord is composed of the notes Db, F, A, Cb, and Eb and is constructed from a particular set of music intervals: the 1, 3, #5, b7, and 9. If you are new to the concept of music intervals, you may want to check out our tutorial about fretboard intervals before proceeding.
The Db 9(#5) chord is a more complex chord, often found in genres such as jazz and blues. It's not a beginner's chord, so if you're just starting out, you might want to first familiarize yourself with simpler chords. Our full tutorial about guitar chords of all types can be a good starting point.
The intervals that build this chord are named as follows: the 1 is the Root, the 3 is the Major Third, the #5 is the Augmented Fifth, the b7 is the Minor Seventh, and the 9 is the Major Ninth. If you want to learn more about how chords are created by stacking intervals, our tutorial on building chords can be very helpful.
In this tutorial, we will provide you with chord diagrams and fretboard patterns that show the tones composing the Db 9(#5) chord. We also have a interactive tool to analyze chord shapes on the fretboard which can be a great help in understanding this and other chords.
Learning to play the Db 9(#5) chord can open up a new world of sound for your guitar playing. So let's dive into the fascinating world of augmented chords and start exploring the Db 9(#5) chord.
Notes that compose the Db 9(#5) chord:
Tones of the Dominant Ninth Sharp Fifth chord:
Guitar Patterns for the Db9(#5) chord
No guitar diagrams created yet for this chord. Request one here
Download
the Free Guitar Chords Chart PdfFAQ
What specifically makes the Db 9(#5) chord an 'augmented chord' while also being a 'ninth chord'?
The Db 9(#5) chord is classified as an augmented chord due to the presence of the Augmented Fifth interval (the #5). It is simultaneously a ninth chord because it includes the Major Ninth interval (the 9), which extends the basic chord structure beyond a standard seventh chord.
How do the intervals (1, 3, #5, b7, 9) translate to the specific notes (Db, F, A, Cb, Eb) in the Db 9(#5) chord?
In the Db 9(#5) chord, the 1 is the Root (Db), the 3 is the Major Third (F), the #5 is the Augmented Fifth (A), the b7 is the Minor Seventh (Cb), and the 9 is the Major Ninth (Eb). Each note corresponds directly to its interval position relative to the root Db.
Why is the Db 9(#5) chord described as 'complex' and 'not a beginner's chord'?
This chord is considered complex because it involves five distinct notes and uses advanced intervals like the augmented fifth and major ninth. Mastering these intervals and finding comfortable fingerings on the guitar fretboard typically requires a solid foundation in simpler chords and music theory concepts.
In which musical genres or contexts would a guitarist typically use or encounter the Db 9(#5) chord?
The Db 9(#5) chord is commonly found and utilized in genres such as jazz and blues. Its unique, often tense and colorful sound makes it suitable for adding harmonic interest, transitions, or specific emotional qualities in these styles.
What is the significance of the 'Cb' note in the Db 9(#5) chord, and how does it relate to the chord's intervals?
The 'Cb' note in the Db 9(#5) chord represents the Minor Seventh interval (b7) relative to the root Db. It's an enharmonic spelling that maintains consistency with the theoretical construction of the chord's intervals, even though it sounds the same as a B natural.