Db9(#5) Chord on Guitar: How To Play the Db Dominant Ninth Sharp Fifth chord
The Db ninth sharp five chord, written Db9#5, is spelled Db, F, A, Cb and Eb: the root, major third, raised fifth, minor seventh and ninth.
Db9#5 and C#9#5 are enharmonic twins: two names for the same pitches. Notes such as Cb are written that way to keep one letter name per chord tone, even though they sound like simpler notes. All five notes come from the whole-tone scale, a six-note scale built entirely from whole steps. For lead lines, reach for the Db whole-tone scale: it holds each note of the chord, so every chord tone is available.
Compared with a plain ninth chord, only the fifth changes: it is raised by a semitone.
Db 9th with sharp 5th guitar chord is also written as Db9(#5), Db9#5, Db9+5 or Dbaug9.
Notes that compose the Db 9(#5) chord:
Tones of the Dominant Ninth Sharp Fifth chord:
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Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
Which notes does Db9#5 contain?
Db9#5 is spelled Db, F, A, Cb and Eb. That gives a root, major third, raised fifth, minor seventh and ninth. Only the Cb is an awkward spelling.
Why is Db9#5 spelled with Cb?
The minor seventh up from Db is a Cb, not a B, because the seventh needs a C letter name. It sounds the same as B. The letter keeps the interval spelling consistent.
Is Db9#5 the same as C#9#5?
Yes, they share the same pitches. C#9#5 is spelled C#, E#, G##, B and D#, which needs a double sharp. The Db spelling is the simpler one.
Which scale fits Db ninth sharp five?
The Db Whole-Tone Scale (Db, Eb, F, G, A, Cb) includes all five chord tones. The ninth Eb and the raised fifth A are both inside it.
