D# Maj9 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of D# Maj9 in Root Position

A D# Maj9 chord is a type of chord that consists of a major seventh chord combined with a major ninth note. This chord is built upon a D# major scale, and it includes the notes D#, F_x, A#, C_x, and E#. Keep reading to get a better grip on the music theory behind this chord.

 

D# Maj9 Chord Inversions

 

The D# Maj9 chord has a total of 4 inversions:

 Piano Keyboard Diagrams

 

Chord Inversions on Piano

Chord inversions are a fundamental concept in music theory, as they help to understand how chords are constructed and how they can be used in progressions. When discussing chord inversions on a piano keyboard, it is important to note that the diagrams showing the sequence of notes in an inversion may not always correspond to practical playing.

In practical playing, proper chord voicings involve spreading the notes of the chord across different octaves and positions on the keyboard, which may not necessarily match the basic shape of the chord’s inversions as depicted in diagrams. Therefore, while chord inversion diagrams help understand the structure and sequence of notes in a chord, they may not always provide the most efficient way to play the chord on a piano keyboard.

As a pianist, it is important to experiment with different voicings and fingerings of chords to find the most comfortable and efficient way to play them, while still maintaining the intended harmonic function and sound.

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Music Theory and Harmony of D# Maj9

 

Building the D# Maj9 Chord: Different Approaches

Starting from the D# Major Scale

If you want to create a major 7/9 chord, the major scale is a useful reference point. You will need to combine five notes: the Root note, a major 3rd, a 5th interval, a major 7th, and a major 9th.

For instance, to build the D# Maj9 chord, you can start with the D# Major scale.

 

 

 

To form a D# Maj9 chord, use the formula R, 3, 5, 7, 9 as follows:

1. Start with the Root note, D#.
2. Choose the major 3rd interval, which is F_x (G), and include it in the chord.
3. Add the 5th interval, A#.
4. Include the major 7th interval, C_x (D).
5. Lastly, add the 9th, E#.

By using this straightforward formula, you can produce a major 7/9 chord from any major scale.

 

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by Combining Intervals

To build a major 9th chord, you can use a combination of specific intervals – a major 3rd, a minor 3rd, another major 3rd, and a final minor 3rd.

3 + m3 + 3 + m3 = Major 9th Chords

For instance, we can take the D# Maj9 chord as an example.

When we examine the intervals between the notes in this chord, we can see that:

• D#-F_x forms a major 3rd interval,
• F_x-A# creates a minor 3rd interval,
• A#-C_x is a major 3rd,
• and finally, C_x-E# forms a minor 3rd interval.

By stacking these five intervals together, we can create the D# Maj9 chord.

 

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by Combining Chords

Another trick to build a Maj9 chord is by combining a major triad with the major chord built on its fifth note.

To create a D# Maj9 chord, for instance, you can combine a D# Major triad (D#, F_x, A#) with an A# Major chord (A#, C_x, E#). These two chords share the note A#, and when played together, they form a D# Maj9 chord.

D# Major + A# Major = D# Maj9

 

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How to Use D# Maj9 in a Chord Progression

 

These tables show the harmonized major and natural minor scales that contain a D# Maj7 chord replaceable with a D# Maj9.

The D# Maj9 chord can be used as the first (I) chord in the D# major scale, and it can also serve as the subdominant chord in the A# major scale. In the natural minor scales, it functions as the third (mediant) chord in the B# natural minor scale and as the sixth (submediant) chord in the F_x natural minor scale.

However, it’s important to note that all these keys are considered theoretical and not commonly used due to their high number of accidentals. It is often more practical to refer to their enharmonic equivalent keys, which have fewer accidentals.

 

on Major Scales

• Tonic chord in D# Major as Eb Maj9
• Subdominant chord in Bb Major as Eb Maj9

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Mediant chord in C minor as Eb Maj9
• Submediant chord in G minor as Eb Maj9

 

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D# Maj9 as the Tonic Chord in D# Major

Check Eb Maj9 in Eb Major

 

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D# Maj9 as Subdominant Chord in A# Major

Check Eb Maj9 in Bb Major

 

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D# Maj9 as the Mediant Chord in B# minor

Check Eb Maj9 in C minor

 

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D# Maj9 as the Submediant Chord in F_x minor

Check Eb Maj9 in G minor

 

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Alternative Names for D# Maj9 Chord

• D# ∆9
• D# M9
• D# j7/9
• D# Δ7/9
• D# maj9
• D# Maj9
• D# M7/9
• D# Ma7/9
• D# major7/9

 

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