D7(#9) Guitar Chord | How To Create and Play the D Dominant Seventh Sharp Ninth Added chord
Welcome to our tutorial on the D 7(#9) chord, a member of the Dominant Chords family. This chord, with its unique blend of notes - D, F#, A, C, and E# - and intervals - 1, 3, 5, b7, and #9 - offers a rich, complex sound that can add depth to your guitar playing.
The D 7(#9) chord is constructed using a specific combination of music intervals: the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, and Augmented Ninth. If you're not familiar with these terms, we highly recommend checking out our tutorial on fretboard intervals and our tutorial on how to denote chords based on the intervals that compose them.
As a Dominant chord, the D 7(#9) chord has a vital role in creating tension and resolution in music, particularly in genres like blues and jazz. If you want to learn more about this, our tutorial on dominant (7) guitar chords is a great place to start.
Our comprehensive tutorial on guitar chords covers all types of chords, including the D 7(#9). However, if you're interested in more advanced chords, our tutorial on intermediate guitar chords is worth exploring.
Ready to dive in and learn how to play the D 7(#9) chord? In this tutorial, we'll provide detailed chord diagrams and fretboard patterns to show you exactly how to play this chord. Let's get started!
Notes that compose the D 7(#9) chord:
Tones of the Dominant Seventh Sharp Ninth Added chord:
D7(#9) Guitar Chord Shapes
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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
Movable
Position 2
Barre
Movable
Position 3
Barre
Movable
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FAQ
What are the notes and intervals that make up the D7(#9) guitar chord?
The D7(#9) chord is composed of the notes D, F#, A, C, and E#. These notes correspond to specific musical intervals relative to the root D: the Root (D), Major Third (F#), Perfect Fifth (A), Minor Seventh (C), and Augmented Ninth (E#).
Why is the D7(#9) chord considered a Dominant Chord?
The D7(#9) chord belongs to the Dominant Chord family because it includes the root, major third, perfect fifth, and a minor seventh interval. The presence of the minor seventh (C in this case) inherently creates a sense of tension that typically seeks resolution, which is a defining characteristic of dominant chords. The added #9 further amplifies this tension.
What is the musical role of the D7(#9) chord in genres like blues and jazz?
The D7(#9) chord plays a crucial role in music, especially in blues and jazz, by creating significant tension and a strong pull towards resolution. Its complex sound adds a rich, distinctive flavor and emotional depth, driving the musical progression forward.
What does the '#9' in D7(#9) signify?
The '#9' in D7(#9) indicates an augmented ninth interval. This means the ninth degree of the scale (E in the key of D) is raised by a half-step. For the D7(#9) chord, this results in the note E#, adding a characteristic 'sharp ninth' sound to the dominant chord.
Why is the note E# used in the D7(#9) chord instead of F?
While E# and F are enharmonically the same pitch, E# is used in the D7(#9) chord to accurately represent its theoretical interval from the root (D). It is an augmented ninth above D (D-E is a major second, D-E# is an augmented second, extended to the ninth). Calling it F would incorrectly imply an altered eleventh or another interval, disrupting the clear understanding of the chord's construction from its root.