D Major Ninth Chord
Chord Tones: D Major Ninth Chord
Symbol: maj9, M9, △9 — Formula: 1-3-5-7-9
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | 293.665 Hz |
| 3 | F# | 369.994 Hz |
| 5 | A | 440.000 Hz |
| 7 | C# | 277.183 Hz |
| 9 | E | 329.628 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | Dmaj9 |
| All Common Symbols | maj9, M9, △9 |
| Interval Formula | 1-3-5-7-9 |
| Harmonic Category | lush |
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 | D – F# – A – C# – E | D | D Major Ninth Chord |
| First Inversion | F# – A – C# – E – D | F# | D Major Ninth Chord/F# |
| Second Inversion | A – C# – E – D – F# | A | D Major Ninth Chord/A |
| Third Inversion | C# – E – D – F# – A | C# | D Major Ninth Chord/C# |
| Fourth Inversion | E – D – F# – A – C# | E | D Major Ninth Chord/E |
Harmonic Function
The D major ninth chord commonly functions as the supertonic (ii) in C major or dominant (V) in G major. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides stable harmonic grounding.
The major ninth chord extends the major seventh with a ninth, creating a lush, sophisticated sound central to jazz and R&B. It conveys spaciousness, warmth, and harmonic richness.
Common Progressions
The D Major Ninth Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
Imaj9-IVmaj9Imaj9-ii9
Songs Featuring the Major Ninth Chord
Well-known songs where the D Major Ninth Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Nights in White Satin – Moody Blues
- Clair de Lune – Debussy (adapted)
- Once in a While – jazz standard
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| F# | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| C# | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
Scales Containing the D Major Ninth Chord
These scales include the D Major Ninth Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: