D Major 9th

Dmaj9

Notes

D · F# · A · C# · E

Intervals

  • RootD (1P)
  • Major 3rdF# (3M)
  • Perfect 5thA (5P)
  • Major 7thC# (7M)
  • Major 9thE (9M)

Fretboard

EBGDAE357912EF#AC#DEC#DEF#AAC#DEF#DEF#AC#DAC#DEF#AEF#AC#DE

About

The D major 9th (D–F♯–A–C♯–E) extends a maj7 with a ninth. The result combines the gentle shimmer of the major-7 interval with the openness of the E. The 3rd, 7th, and 9th are the essential tones — the 5th is typically dropped on guitar, since it adds little harmonic information and clutters the voicing. Common in jazz and R&B as a tonic or subdominant color. Compared to DMaj7, maj9 feels more expansive and less static; the added 9th breathes air into the chord without introducing tension. Compared to D6/9, it is more harmonically active because of the 7th.

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