F Dominant Ninth Chord
Chord Tones: F Dominant Ninth Chord
Symbol: 9 — Formula: 1-3-5-♭7-9
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F4 | 349.228 Hz |
| 3 | A4 | 440.000 Hz |
| 5 | C4 | 261.626 Hz |
| ♭7 | E♭4 | 311.127 Hz |
| 9 | G4 | 391.995 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | F9 |
| All Common Symbols | 9 |
| Interval Formula | 1-3-5-♭7-9 |
| Harmonic Category | tense |
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 | F4 – A4 – C4 – E♭4 – G4 | F | F Dominant Ninth Chord |
| First Inversion | A4 – C4 – E♭4 – G4 – F4 | A | F Dominant Ninth Chord/A |
| Second Inversion | C4 – E♭4 – G4 – F4 – A4 | C | F Dominant Ninth Chord/C |
| Third Inversion | E♭4 – G4 – F4 – A4 – C4 | E♭ | F Dominant Ninth Chord/E♭ |
| Fourth Inversion | G4 – F4 – A4 – C4 – E♭4 | G | F Dominant Ninth Chord/G |
Harmonic Function
The F dominant ninth chord commonly functions as the subdominant (IV) in C major — plagal cadence endpoint. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides stable harmonic grounding.
The dominant ninth chord extends the dominant seventh with a ninth, adding color and richness to one of music's most harmonically active chords. Essential in jazz, blues, and funk. The F Dominant Ninth Chord specifically contains 5 notes: F, A, C, E♭, G (formula: 1-3-5-♭7-9). On guitar, the F barre chord is famously one of the first challenging shapes beginners encounter, but its tight voicing produces a clear, focused sound. Classical, jazz, and gospel music frequently feature F-rooted chords, and brass-heavy arrangements in concert band naturally gravitate to keys that include F as a primary chord.
Common Progressions
The F Dominant Ninth Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
Songs Featuring the Dominant Ninth Chord
Well-known songs where the F Dominant Ninth Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix
- What's Going On – Marvin Gaye
- Superstition – Stevie Wonder
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| F4 | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| A4 | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| C4 | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| E♭4 | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| G4 | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
Scales Containing the F Dominant Ninth Chord
These scales include the F Dominant Ninth Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: