Db9b5 chord - Db Dominant Ninth Flat five - guitar chord chart
Welcome to our tutorial on the intriguing Db 9b5 chord. This chord, which belongs to the Dominant Chords family, is composed of the notes Db, F, Abb, Cb, and Eb. The intervals that build this chord are 1, 3, b5, b7, and 9, which in full are known as the Root, Major Third, Diminished Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Major Ninth.
The Db 9b5 chord is not your average chord. It involves a complex structure, which can be better understood through our tutorial that teaches how to build chords by stacking intervals. This tutorial will give you a solid foundation in music theory, helping you understand why the Db 9b5 chord is constructed the way it is.
Our tutorial will guide you through chord diagrams and fretboard patterns, showing the tones composing the Db 9b5 chord. This will provide a visual aid to help you master this chord. If you're interested in expanding your knowledge on different types of chords, you might want to check out our full tutorial about guitar chords of all types.
If you're already familiar with dominant (7) guitar chords, the Db 9b5 chord might be a challenging yet exciting next step. Our tutorial about dominant guitar chords can provide a refresher or deeper understanding of these chords.
Understanding the fretboard intervals is crucial in mastering the Db 9b5 chord. To learn more about this, our tutorial about fretboard intervals can be a great resource. This knowledge will be particularly helpful when trying to understand the diminished fifth and major ninth in the Db 9b5 chord.
Learning the Db 9b5 chord is a step towards mastering more advanced chords. So, get your guitar ready and let's dive into the fascinating world of the Db 9b5 chord!
Db 9b5 chord Notes:
Chord structure of the Dominant Ninth Flat five chord:
Db Dominant Ninth Flat five Guitar Chord Voicings
Chord boxes are sorted from the easiest to the hardest. Learn how to read chord diagrams.
If you have difficulties with bar chord shapes, check the Bar Chords Tips tutorial.
You can also use this accessible chords page with written diagrams instruction.
Position 1
Barre
Movable
Position 2
Barre
Movable
Position 3
Barre
Movable
You can find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you
prefer a printable pdf, download
the Free Guitar Chords Chart Pdf
FAQ
What defines the Db 9b5 as a 'Dominant Chord' even with a flattened fifth?
The Db 9b5 chord is classified as a dominant chord because it fundamentally contains the root (Db), a major third (F), and a minor seventh (Cb). These three intervals are the core components that establish a chord's dominant function. The 'b5' (diminished fifth) and '9' (major ninth) are extensions or alterations that add color and tension, but they do not change the chord's underlying dominant quality.
How do the notes Db, F, Abb, Cb, and Eb correspond to the intervals 1, 3, b5, b7, and 9?
The notes of the Db 9b5 chord directly map to its intervals as follows: Db is the Root (1), F is the Major Third (3), Abb is the Diminished Fifth (b5), Cb is the Minor Seventh (b7), and Eb is the Major Ninth (9). The Abb might be enharmonically thought of as G, and Cb as B, but their correct theoretical spelling within the Db dominant context is crucial for understanding the chord's construction.
What is the specific musical effect or role of the diminished fifth (b5) and major ninth (9) in the Db 9b5 chord?
The diminished fifth (b5) creates a unique, often unsettling or highly dissonant tension that seeks resolution, making the chord sound more 'outside' or bluesy. The major ninth (9) adds richness and a 'sweet' upper extension to the dominant sound, increasing its harmonic complexity. Together, these intervals give the Db 9b5 a distinctive, complex, and highly colorful sound often used in jazz and fusion music to create sophisticated harmonic movement.
Why is the Db 9b5 chord considered complex compared to other dominant chords?
The Db 9b5 chord is deemed complex because it features two alterations beyond a basic dominant seventh chord: a diminished fifth (b5) and a major ninth (9). These intervals are less common in simpler harmonies and require a deeper understanding of music theory, especially how to locate and voice these specific intervals on the fretboard. It moves beyond standard dominant 7 or 9 voicings, demanding more precision in note selection and finger placement.