Db Dominant Sharp 9th
Db7#9
Notes
Db · F · Ab · Cb · E
Intervals
- RootDb (1P)
- Major 3rdF (3M)
- Perfect 5thAb (5P)
- Minor 7thCb (7m)
- Augmented 9thE (9A)
Fretboard
On the fretboard, B represents Cb.
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About
The D♭7♯9 (D♭–F–A♭–C♭–E) raises the ninth a half step, creating a striking enharmonic clash: the E (sounding like a ♭3) sits against the major 3rd in the same chord. This makes the chord simultaneously major and minor in feeling — the F is in the bass of the voicing while the ♯9 rings on top like a minor color. The result is a harmonically ambiguous but intensely bluesy sound, which is why it is central to rock and blues-rock harmony — the "Hendrix chord". The 3rd and ♭7 are essential; the ♯9 is the defining alteration. Compared to D♭7♭9, 7♯9 feels more bluesy than classically tense.
Similar chords
Chords sharing two or more notes with this one, ranked by overlap.
Scales containing this chord
Scales whose notes include every chord tone. Roman numeral marks the chord root’s position in the scale; dashed badges aren’t linked yet.