Dominant Ninth chord - ukulele
The dominant ninth chord (notated 9) is a five-note chord formed by a dominant seventh chord with an added major ninth. It enriches the tension of the 7 chord.
Intervals
| Degree | I | III | V | ♭VII | IX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | Root | Major third | Perfect fifth | Minor seventh | Major ninth |
| Semitones | 0 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 14 |
Formula 1 - 3 - 5 - ♭7 - 9
Theory
The 9 chord adds a major ninth to the dominant seventh chord. G9 = G-B-D-F-A, C9 = C-E-G-B♭-D. The ninth adds color without resolving the tritone tension. The fifth is often omitted for easier playability, especially on guitar, creating a more compact voicing.
Examples
Example: Do Dominant Ninth
Open position
Styles
Construction
Formula 1 - 3 - 5 - 7b - 9: 7 chord + major ninth. Example C9: C - E - G - Bb - D. Jazz, blues, funk.
Learning
V9-I progressions. Enriched blues. Funk: percussive voicings.
How to play
Enriched dominant (V9). Blues, funk, jazz. Voicings without fifth common.