Chord chart for DM9 Guitar Chord (D major 9): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

D major 9 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 35 playable shapes

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D major 9 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

D major 9 guitar chord

DM9 is the D major 9 guitar chord. It uses the notes D, F♯, A, C♯, and E and the interval formula 1-3-5-7-9.

The D major 9 major 9 chord adds a major ninth E to the major 7th, creating an expansive, ethereal sound. Its rich harmonic structure enhances the major tonality with a modern, sophisticated vibe, ideal for jazz, ambient, and cinematic music.

Also written as Dmaj9.

Root note: D
Quality: major 9
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 35

Chord tones

DF♯AC♯E

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape x50670

x50670

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string.
  4. 4 Let the fourth and first strings ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 5th string down.

Shape xx0670

xx0670

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string.
  3. 3 Let the fourth and first strings ring open.
  4. 4 Strum from the 4th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

D Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

F♯ Major Third 3

This note defines the chord's major quality and brings brightness to the sound.

A Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

C♯ Major Seventh 7

The major seventh adds a smooth, lush tension close to the root.

E Major Ninth 9

The ninth opens the chord up and adds a modern, spacious color.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

D major 9 shape x50670

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Let the fourth and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

D major 9 shape xx0670

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Let the fourth and first strings ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  5. 5 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

D major 9 shape x57670

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Let the first string ring open
  6. 6 Do not play the sixth string
  7. 7 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

D major 9 shape xx0979

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Let the fourth string ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  6. 6 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

D major 9 shape acbba0

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 10th fret of the 2nd string and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 11th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 11th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 12th fret of the 5th string
  5. 5 Let the first string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

D major 9 shape acbbac

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 10th fret of the 2nd string and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 11th fret of the 3rd string and 4th string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 12th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 12th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

D major 9 shape x52222

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string, 2nd string, 3rd string, and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Do not play the sixth string
  4. 4 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

D major 9 shape x54220

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string
  5. 5 Let the first string ring open
  6. 6 Do not play the sixth string
  7. 7 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in DM9?

DM9 uses the notes D, F♯, A, C♯, and E. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-7-9.

What is another name for DM9?

DM9 is also written as Dmaj9.

How do you play DM9 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd string. Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string. Let the fourth and first strings ring open. Strum from the 5th string down.

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