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Dadd9 Chord

Dadd9 keeps the D major triad and adds E, its ninth. The major third remains, so this is different from a sus2 chord, which replaces the third.

  • Notes: D-F sharp-A-E
  • Symbol: Dadd9
  • Iadd9 in D major
  • Added ninth
Switch chordDadd9

How to play a Dadd9 chord

Notes: D - F# - A - E · symbol Dadd9

  • Root position

    D - F# - A - E
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    F# - A - E - D
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    A - E - D - F#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    E - D - F# - A
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does Dadd9 belong?

The ninth adds color to an otherwise familiar major chord without replacing its third.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In D majorHome with shimmer
    Iadd9

    The ninth sits on top of a plain major chord, without a seventh.

    GIVAVDadd9Iadd9
  • In A majorBright step away
    IVadd9

    The IV of A major with an added ninth.

    AIDadd9IVadd9EVAI

Progressions to try

  • GADadd9

    Dadd9 is the tonic arrival; the added ninth remains above the familiar major triad.

  • ADadd9EA

    Here the added ninth colors the IV chord while the loop still ends on the ordinary tonic.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with x54252, a barre at the 2nd fret.

On ukulele, start with 2425, played at the 2nd fret. 7657 gives a higher version.

On piano, play D-F sharp-A-E. Move D up an octave to reach the first inversion, F sharp-A-E-D; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

D, F sharp and A make the major triad; E adds the ninth, an octave plus a second above the root.

  • Root position: D-F sharp-A-E, with D lowest.
  • First inversion: F sharp-A-E-D, written Dadd9/F# if F sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: A-E-D-F sharp, written Dadd9/A if A is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: E-D-F sharp-A, written Dadd9/E if E is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Dadd9 differ from D9?

Dadd9 has the third and ninth but no seventh. Add C and you get D9; the comparer lets you hear what that extra seventh changes. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See D9 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Dadd9

    D - F# - A - E
    C4C5

    D add9

  • D9

    D - F# - A - C - E
    C4C5

    D dominant 9

Try another chord