Db7b9 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of Db7b9 in Root Position

A Db7b9 chord is an altered dominant seventh chord that is built upon the key of Db. This chord consists of the root Db, the major third F, the perfect fifth Ab, the minor seventh Cb, and the minor ninth Ebb. The Db7b9 chord can be used as a substitute for dominant chords only in specific musical contexts. Keep reading to learn more about the music theory that underpins this chord.

 

How to play a Db7b9

To play a Db7b9 chord, you can use the following voicing: start by playing the root note Db with your left hand. Then, with your right hand, play the notes F (major 3rd), Cb (B, minor 7th), and Ebb (D, flat 9th).

Db + F, Cb, Ebb

This approach will result in a simplified Db7b9 chord that includes only the essential notes: the root note, major 3rd, minor 7th, and minor 9th.

 

Db7b9 Chord Equivalencies

When you remove the root note from a 7b9 chord, it becomes a diminished 7th chord. In the case of a Db7b9 chord, if you remove the root note Db, you’re left with the notes F, Ab, Cb, and Eb, which are equivalent to an Fdim7 chord.

Db7b9 without root = Fdim7

F dim7 = Ab dim7 = Cb dim7 = Ebb dim7

Diminished 7th chords have a unique quality where each inversion is another diminished 7th chord. So, Fdim7 is enharmonically equivalent to Abdim7, Cbdim7, and Ebbdim7. Therefore, even if you remove the root note from a Db7b9 chord, it is still enharmonically equivalent to all of these chords.

Db7b9 Chord Inversions

 

The Db7b9 chord has a total of 4 inversions:

 Piano Keyboard Diagrams

Chord Inversions on Piano

Understanding chord inversions is crucial for music theory, as it reveals how chords are constructed. When playing chord inversions on a piano, it’s important to remember that the charts showing the order of notes may not always be playable.

To properly voice chords on a piano, the notes must be spread across various octaves and positions on the keyboard. This often means deviating from the standard shape of the chord’s inversions, as shown in charts. It’s always a good idea to experiment with different voicings and fingerings to find the most efficient and comfortable way to play the chord, while still maintaining its intended harmonic function and sound.

Chord inversion charts can help understand the structure and sequence of notes in a chord, but it’s important to be flexible and adaptable when playing them on the piano. With practice, you can find your own unique voicings and develop a personal style that suits your playing needs.

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Music Theory and Harmony of Db7b9

 

The Db7b9 chord can replace or enhance the Db7 chord, typically on the V degree, but also on the III degree, and occasionally on other degrees as a secondary dominant chord. However, it has a distinct vibe, so it should be used carefully in the appropriate musical context.

Before delving into the most frequent uses of this chord, let’s first understand how to build it.

 

Building the Db7b9 Chord: Different Approaches

 

Starting from the Db Major Scale:

To form a 7b9 chord, you combine the root, the major 3rd, the 5th, the minor 7th, and the flat 9th from a major scale.

To build a Db7b9, you can start with the Db Major scale:

 

 

To create a Db7b9 chord, apply the formula R, 3, 5, m7, m9 in the following manner:

1. Begin with the Root note, which is Db.
2. Select the major 3rd interval, which is F, and add it to the chord.
3. Add the 5th interval, which is Ab.
4. Add the minor 7th interval, Cb.
5. Finally, select the 9th Eb and subtract a half tone to get the minor 9th, Ebb.

By following this simple formula, you can create a 7b9 chord from any major scale.

 

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by Combining Intervals:

One method to create a 7b9 chord is by combining specific intervals – a major 3rd, a minor 3rd, and another minor 3rd.

3 + m3 + m3 + m3 = 7b9 chords

For example, to build a Db7b9 chord:

• we start with the root note Db.
• We then add a major 3rd interval, which is four half-steps up from the root, to get F.
• Next, we add a minor 3rd interval, which is three half-steps up from F, to get Ab.
• Then, we add another minor 3rd from Ab so we find the minor 7th Cb (B).
• and lastly, we add a minor 3rd  interval from B (Cb in this case), to get D (Ebb).

Together, these intervals form the Db7b9 chord.

 

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by Combining Chords

Another way to build a 7b9 chord is by combining a major triad with a diminished triad derived from its 5th.

To build a Db7b9 chord, you can blend a Db Major triad (Db, F, Ab) with an Ab diminished chord (Ab, Cb, Ebb). The Ab note is shared between the two chords.

Db Major + Ab dim = Db7b9

 

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How to Use Db7b9 in a Chord Progression

 

The Db7b9 can work as a substitute or as a passing chord to a Db7 that can be found in major and natural minor scales. The 7b9 chord is considered a non-diatonic chord, which means that it contains notes that are not found in either the major or minor scales.

 

Most common uses of Db7b9

Db7b9 in Gb Major and Gb minor

The Db7b9 chord is commonly used as a dominant chord. In the key of Gb major, the Db7b9 chord can be used as the V7 chord, which leads back to the I chord (Gb major).

• Substitute or Passing Chord to the Dominant chord in Gb Major

 

Db7b9 as Substitute of Dbm7

The Db7 chord derived from the harmonic minor scale is commonly used to replace a Dbm7 chord in the key of Gb minor. In some cases, the Db7b9 chord can also be used instead of the Db7 chord, further enhancing the harmonic tension and leading to the Gbm7 chord.

However, Gb minor is a theoretical key so it’s easier and more practical referring to its enharmonic equivalent key F# minor.

• Substitute or Passing Chord to the Dominant chord in F# minor as C#7b9

 

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Db7b9 in a I – III7 Progression

The Db7b9 chord is used as a substitution for the III degree in an I – III7 chord progression, which traditionally features a Db minor chord. This chord progression, represented by the chords Bbb Maj7 and Db7, can accommodate the Db7b9 chord in place of the expected Db minor chord. The Db7b9 chord provides a dissonant augmented triad that offers a unique flavor to the progression.

Even in this case, it’s better to refer to the easier key of A major instead of the theoretical Bbb major.

• Substitute or Passing Chord to the Mediant chord in A Major as C#7b9

 

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Db7b9 in Eb minor

While the Db7b9 chord can be used in the key of Eb minor, it may not be the most common use of this chord. In fact, the resolution to Eb minor may be less strong than Gb major or Gb minor.

• Substitute or Passing Chord to the Leading Tone chord in Eb minor (less common)

 

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Db7b9 as Substitute of a Secondary Dominant 7th chord

A secondary dominant is a chord that doesn’t belong to the main key of a musical piece but is used to create a strong pull toward another chord that does. In Western music, the fifth scale degree has a dominant function and generates tension that resolves to the first scale degree chord (I). A secondary dominant is used to create the same dominant function but towards a different chord, resulting in a brief departure from the main key.

For instance, in the key of Cb major, Gb7 is the V chord and resolves to the I chord (Cb Maj7). To create a secondary dominant, another chord is added between Cb Maj7 and Gb7, which creates a powerful pull towards Gb7. In this scenario, incorporating a Db7 generates a pull towards Gb7 since Db7 is the V chord in the key of Gb.

| Cb Maj7 | Gb7 |

⇒

| Cb Maj7 | Db7 | Gb7 |

 

Instead of using a regular Db7 chord, you can also use the Db7b9 chord in place of or together with it. This substitution or addition can add more tension and complexity to the progression, leading to a more interesting and dynamic musical result.

| Cb Maj7 | Gb7 |

⇒

| Cb Maj7 | Db7/Db7b9 | Gb7 |

 

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Db7b9 as Dominant Chord in Gb Major

In the key of Gb major, the dominant chord is Db7. However, this chord can be substituted or paired with a Db7b9 chord for a more complex and interesting sound. Let’s explore how this can be done.

 

Db7b9 Chord Progressions as V degree

Try playing these chord progressions to get an idea of how Db7b9 functions near the dominant chord. Most of the time, I like to use it followed by a Db7 or preceded by a Db7#9 but feel free to experiment.

ii V I

 

I IV vi V

 

 I IV ii V iii vi ii V

 

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Db7b9 as Dominant Chord in Gb minor

Check C#7b9 in F# minor

 

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Db7b9 as III7 Degree in Bbb Major

Check C#7b9 in A Major