Which notes are in the D9 chord?

D9 contains the notes D, F#, A, C and E. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9.

How many ways can you play D9?

Minory lists a single ukulele fingering for D9.

Is the D9 chord hard to play?

D9 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.

D dominant 9th · Ukulele

D9 Chord on Ukulele

The D9 chord (D dominant 9th) is built from the notes D, F#, A, C and E. The ukulele fingering for it is shown below.

Chord diagrams

D9starts at fret 2

Fingering

string 4 (G): fret 2 — index finger
string 3 (C): fret 4 — little finger
string 2 (E): fret 2 — middle finger
string 1 (A): fret 3 — ring finger

Notes in this chord

D
F♯
A
C
E

Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9

How to play

D9 can be played with open strings on ukulele, which makes it an accessible shape for beginners. Strings marked ○ ring open, while strings marked ✕ are muted.

Theory behind the chord

Dominant ninth chords extend the dominant seventh with a ninth on top. They keep the pull of a seventh chord but sound fuller and more coloured, which is why funk and soul rhythm parts lean on them. On D9 this structure sits on the root D, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9 map onto D, F#, A, C and E.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the D9 chord?: D9 contains the notes D, F#, A, C and E. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9.
How many ways can you play D9?: Minory lists a single ukulele fingering for D9.
Is the D9 chord hard to play?: D9 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.

Practise D9 on your phone

Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.