Db Added 9th Chord
Chord Tones: Db Added 9th Chord
Symbol: add9, add2 — Formula: 1-3-5-9
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Db | 277.183 Hz |
| 3 | F | 349.228 Hz |
| 5 | Ab | 415.305 Hz |
| 9 | Eb | 311.127 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | Dbadd9 |
| All Common Symbols | add9, add2 |
| Interval Formula | 1-3-5-9 |
| Harmonic Category | bright |
Roman numeral (e.g. I, IV, V) and Nashville Number notation are key-dependent. See Keys pages for chord function within specific keys.
Inversions
| Inversion | Notes (low to high) | Bass Note | Slash Notation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Position | Db – F – Ab – Eb | Db | Db Added 9th Chord |
| First Inversion | F – Ab – Eb – Db | F | Db Added 9th Chord/F |
| Second Inversion | Ab – Eb – Db – F | Ab | Db Added 9th Chord/Ab |
| Third Inversion | Eb – Db – F – Ab | Eb | Db Added 9th Chord/Eb |
Harmonic Function
The Db add9 chord commonly functions as the supertonic (♭II, Neapolitan) in C major or tonic in D♭ major. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides stable harmonic grounding.
The add9 chord adds a ninth (octave + second) to a major triad without including the seventh. It has a bright, open sound, richer than a plain major chord but less complex than a major ninth.
Common Progressions
The Db Added 9th Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
Iadd9-IVadd9Iadd9-V
Songs Featuring the Added 9th Chord
Well-known songs where the Db Added 9th Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Every Breath You Take – The Police
- With or Without You – U2
- Right Here Waiting – Richard Marx
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Db | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| Ab | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| Eb | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
Scales Containing the Db Added 9th Chord
These scales include the Db Added 9th Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: