Db Major Ninth Chord
Chord Tones: Db Major Ninth Chord
Symbol: maj9, M9, △9 — Formula: 1-3-5-7-9
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Db | 277.183 Hz |
| 3 | F | 349.228 Hz |
| 5 | Ab | 415.305 Hz |
| 7 | C | 261.626 Hz |
| 9 | Eb | 311.127 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | Dbmaj9 |
| 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 | Db – F – Ab – C – Eb | Db | Db Major Ninth Chord |
| First Inversion | F – Ab – C – Eb – Db | F | Db Major Ninth Chord/F |
| Second Inversion | Ab – C – Eb – Db – F | Ab | Db Major Ninth Chord/Ab |
| Third Inversion | C – Eb – Db – F – Ab | C | Db Major Ninth Chord/C |
| Fourth Inversion | Eb – Db – F – Ab – C | Eb | Db Major Ninth Chord/Eb |
Harmonic Function
The Db major ninth 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 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 Db 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 Db 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| Eb | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
Scales Containing the Db Major Ninth Chord
These scales include the Db Major Ninth Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: