D Sixth-Ninth Chord
Chord Tones: D Sixth-Ninth Chord
Symbol: 6/9 — Formula: 1-3-5-6-9
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D4 | 293.665 Hz |
| 3 | F♯4 | 369.994 Hz |
| 5 | A4 | 440.000 Hz |
| 6 | B4 | 493.883 Hz |
| 9 | E4 | 329.628 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | D6/9 |
| All Common Symbols | 6/9 |
| Interval Formula | 1-3-5-6-9 |
| 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 | D4 – F♯4 – A4 – B4 – E4 | D | D Sixth-Ninth Chord |
| First Inversion | F♯4 – A4 – B4 – E4 – D4 | F♯ | D Sixth-Ninth Chord/F♯ |
| Second Inversion | A4 – B4 – E4 – D4 – F♯4 | A | D Sixth-Ninth Chord/A |
| Third Inversion | B4 – E4 – D4 – F♯4 – A4 | B | D Sixth-Ninth Chord/B |
| Fourth Inversion | E4 – D4 – F♯4 – A4 – B4 | E | D Sixth-Ninth Chord/E |
Harmonic Function
The D sixth 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 6/9 chord adds both the sixth and ninth to a major triad without a seventh. It has a rich, colorful sound with a jazz and bossa nova flavor, often used as a final tonic chord. The D Sixth-Ninth Chord specifically contains 5 notes: D, F♯, A, B, E (formula: 1-3-5-6-9). On guitar, D-rooted chords use the open D string as their bass note, and the compact open-D shape is one of the most recognizable chord voicings. Rock anthems and folk songs frequently center on D chords, which provide a bright, cutting tone that projects well in ensemble settings.
Common Progressions
The D Sixth-Ninth Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
Songs Featuring the Sixth-Ninth Chord
Well-known songs where the D Sixth-Ninth Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Chameleon – Herbie Hancock
- Mercy Mercy Mercy – Cannonball Adderley
- Four – Miles Davis
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| D4 | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| F♯4 | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| A4 | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| B4 | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| E4 | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
Scales Containing the D Sixth-Ninth Chord
These scales include the D Sixth-Ninth Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: