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Db Maj9 Piano Chord

    Piano Diagram of Db Maj9 in Root Position

    Db Maj7-9 Chord - Root Position - Piano Diagram

    A Db 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 Db major scale, and it includes the notes Db, F, Ab, C, and Eb. Keep reading to get a better grip on the music theory behind this chord.

     

    Structure of Db Maj9

    Notes
    Db, F, Ab, C, Eb

    Intervals
    R, 3, 5, 7, 9

    Playing Extended Chords on Piano

    Extended chords are commonly used in piano playing, but they can be tricky to play in their entirety due to the large number of notes involved. To make these chords more manageable, pianists often omit certain notes, such as the root or the 5th. Another technique is to split the chord between both hands, playing either full or partial chords in each hand.

    However, even when notes are omitted or split between hands, extended chords can still create complex and dense harmonies. When these chords are inverted, the resulting clusters of notes can be particularly challenging to voice effectively.

     

    Db Maj9 Chord Inversions

     

    The Db Maj9 chord has a total of 4 inversions:

    Root Position: Db F Ab C Eb
    1st Inversion: F Ab C Db Eb
    2nd Inversion: Ab C Db Eb F
    3rd Inversion: C Db Eb F Ab
    4th Inversion: Eb F Ab C Db

     Piano Keyboard Diagrams

    Db Maj7-9 Chord - Root Position - Piano Diagram

    Db Maj9 Chord – Root Position

     

    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 in order to find the most comfortable and efficient way to play them, while still maintaining the intended harmonic function and sound.

    Music Theory and Harmony of Db Maj9

     

    Building the Db Maj9 Chord: Different Approaches

    Starting from the Db 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 Db Maj9 chord, you can start with the Db Major scale.

     

    Db Major Diatonic Scale up to 13th

    Db Major Scale

     

    Db Major Diatonic Scale up to 13th - Keyless Notation

    Db Major – Keyless Notation

     

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

    1. Start with the Root note, Db.
    2. Choose the major 3rd interval, which is F, and include it in the chord.
    3. Add the 5th interval, Ab.
    4. Include the major 7th interval, C.
    5. Lastly, add the 9th, Eb.

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

     

    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 Db Maj9 chord as an example.

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

    • Db-F forms a major 3rd interval,
    • F-Ab creates a minor 3rd interval,
    • Ab-C is a major 3rd,
    • and finally, C-Eb forms a minor 3rd interval.

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

     

    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 Db Maj9 chord, for instance, you can combine a Db Major triad (Db, F, Ab) with an Ab Major chord (Ab, C, Eb). These two chords share the note Ab, and when played together, they form a Db Maj9 chord.

    Db Major + Ab Major = Db Maj9

     

    How to Use Db Maj9 in a Chord Progression

     

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

    The Db Maj9 chord can be used as the first (I) chord in the Db major scale, and it can also serve as the subdominant chord in the Ab major scale. In the natural minor scales, it functions as the third (mediant) chord in the Bb natural minor scale and as the sixth (submediant) chord in the F natural minor scale.

    on Major Scales

    Major Scales I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Db Db Maj7 ⇒ Db Maj9 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7 Bb min7 Cm7b5
    Ab Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 ⇒ Db Maj9 Eb7 F min7 Gm7b5
    • Tonic chord in Db Major
    • Subdominant chord in Ab Major

     

    on Natural minor Scales

    Minor Scales i ii III iv v VI VII
    Bb Bb min7 Cm7b5 Db Maj7 ⇒ Db Maj9 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7
    F F min7 Gm7b5 Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 ⇒ Db Maj9 Eb7
    • Mediant chord in Bb minor
    • Submediant chord in F minor

     

    Db Maj9 Chord Function in Major and Minor Keys

    Understanding Scale Degrees

    When we create chords based on a scale, each note is assigned a degree that reflects its position within the scale. These degrees act as a map to help us navigate the harmonic landscape of music.

    1. Starting with the first degree, we have the Tonic chord, which sets the tonal center of the music. This chord gives a sense of stability and serves as a reference point for all other chords and notes in the scale.
    2. Moving to the second degree, we have the Supertonic, which connects the tonic to other notes in the scale. This degree creates a sense of movement and tension, pushing the music forward.
    3. The third degree is the Mediant, which sits between the tonic and dominant notes. This degree establishes the scale’s mode (major or minor) and influences the music’s emotional character.
    4. The fourth degree is the Subdominant, which balances the dominant. This degree adds complexity to the music by creating a sense of tension and release.
    5. The fifth degree is the Dominant, which generates tension and anticipation. This chord is often used to resolve back to the tonic, creating a sense of closure.
    6. Moving on to the sixth degree, we have the Submediant, which creates a feeling of relaxation and stability. This degree acts as a transition between the dominant and tonic chords, creating balance and resolution.
    7. Lastly, we have the seventh degree, the Leading tone, which generates tension and dissonance. This degree wants to resolve to the tonic, giving the music a sense of finality.

     

    Db Maj9 as the Tonic Chord in Db Major

    A Major 9th chord could be used in place of the first chord in the harmonized Db major scale. In a major key, the I chord (built on the first degree of the major scale) serves as the tonic chord, providing the harmonic center of the chord progression. If we take the Db major scale and harmonize it using the notes of the scale, we get the following chords:

    I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Db Maj7 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7 Bb min7 Cm7b5

     

    Db Maj9 Chord Progressions as I degree

    Try playing these chord progressions to get an idea of how Db Maj9 functions as the tonic (I degree) in a chord progression.

    II V I
    ii V I
    Eb min7 Ab7 Db Maj9

     

    I IV V
    I IV V
    Db Maj9 Gb Maj7 Ab7

     

     I V vi IV
    I V vi IV
    Db Maj9 Ab7 Bb min7 Gb Maj7

     

    I IV vi V
    I IV vi V
    Db Maj9 Gb Maj7 Bb min7 Ab7

     

    Db Maj9 as Subdominant Chord in Ab Major

    The Db Maj9 chord can also be found on the fourth degree of the Ab major scale. In the I-IV-V progression, the chord on the fourth degree serves as a transitional chord between the first and fifth degrees.

    I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb7 F min7 Gm7b5

     

    Db Maj9 as IV degree – Chord Progressions

    Try playing these chord progressions to get an idea of how Db Maj9 functions as the subdominant (IV degree) in a chord progression.

     

    I IV V
    I IV V
    Ab Maj7 Db Maj9 Eb7

     

     I V vi IV
    I V vi IV
    Ab Maj7 Eb7 F min7 Db Maj9

     

    I IV vi V
    I IV vi V
    Ab Maj7 Db Maj9 F min7 Eb7

     

    Db Maj9 as the Mediant Chord in Bb minor

    Likewise, if we consider the Bb natural minor scale we can locate the Db Maj9 chord as the third degree.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    Bb min7 Cm7b5 Db Maj7 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7

     

    Db Maj9 as III degree – Chord Progressions

    These chord progressions can help you comprehend how Db Maj9 serves as the mediant (III degree).

     

    i III
    i III
    Bb min7 Db Maj9

     

    i III iv v
    i III iv v
    Bb min7 Db Maj9 Eb min7 F min7

     

    i III ii v
    i III ii v
    Bb min7 Db Maj9 Cm7b5 F min7

     

    I iii vi V
    i III VI iv
    Bb min7 Db Maj9 Gb Maj7 Eb min7

     

    i III VII VI
    i III VII VI
    Bb min7 Db Maj9 Ab7 Gb Maj7

     

    Circle Progression
    i iv VII III VI ii V7 i
    Bb min7 Eb min7 Ab7 Db Maj9 Gb Maj7 Cm7b5 F7 Bb min7

     

    Db Maj9 as the Submediant Chord in F minor

    Another instance where you can come across a Db Maj9 chord is while playing in the key of F. The Db Maj9 chord can be found on the sixth degree of the F minor scale.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    F min7 Gm7b5 Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb7

     

    Db Maj9 as VI degree – Chord Progressions

    Try playing these chord progressions to get a sense of how Db Maj9 sounds as the submediant (VI degree).

     

    i VI VII
    i VI VII
    F min7 Db Maj9 Eb7

     

    i v VI VII
    i v VI VII
    F min7 C min7 Db Maj9 Eb7

     

    i III VII VI
    i III VII VI
    F min7 Ab Maj7 Eb7 Db Maj9

     

    Circle Progression
    i iv VII III VI ii V7 i
    F min7 Bb min7 Eb7 Ab Maj7 Db Maj9 Gm7b5 C7 F min7

     

    Alternative Names for Db Maj9 Chord

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

     

    Conclusion

    The chord progressions and examples presented in this post provide a comprehensive overview of the most common uses of the Db Maj9 chord. It’s important to note, however, that there are many advanced harmony-related topics that could not be included due to space constraints. These topics include chord progressions built on harmonic and melodic scales, modal scales, hidden tonality, secondary dominants and other chord substitutions, non-functional harmony and atonal music, modal interchange and borrowed chords, voice leading and counterpoint, chromatisms, jazz harmony…I mean, music theory is a huge topic!

    Although I couldn’t cover all of these topics in my post, I encourage readers to continue exploring these areas in their study and research. By expanding your knowledge in these advanced areas of music theory, you can gain a deeper understanding of the harmonic possibilities that exist beyond the basics presented here.

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