Db9 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.
P - i - m - a - m - i · Smooth Bossa (2/4 · 6 notes · Level 2)
From the bass on the 5th to the 1st string there are 4 different notes. Six plucks give time to hear them. All 6 arpeggios
Subtle syncopation and oscillating timbre.
The notes of Db9 are Db, F, Ab, Cb and Eb. Db is the root, F the major third, Ab the fifth, Cb the minor seventh and Eb the ninth. Said aloud, its notes are D flat, F, A flat, C flat and E flat.
From the low string to the high one you hear Db, F, Cb, Eb and Ab. The lowest note is Db on string 5 and the highest is Ab on string 1.
The main Db9 shape needs a barre at fret 4 across three strings. String 6 is not played. Everything fits between frets 3 and 4. The second shape on this page starts at fret 9.
From Db9 to Db7 only two strings change, 4 and 2. Db9 holds the whole Abm chord inside it, Ab, Cb and Eb. Going to Db, two positions stay the same.
Db9 belongs to only one key, Gb major, where it is the V9.
Db 1F 3Ab 5Cb ♭7Eb 9
Root Bass (Fundamental String)5th String (A) • Fret 4 (Db)
String Control (Muted & Active)5 / 6 • 1 X Muted
Placement tip: Barre fret 4. Press: 5th String (A) at fret 4 with your Middle finger, 4th String (D) at fret 3 with your Index finger. Don't play: 6th String (Low E).
Placement tip: Barre fret 9. Press: 5th String (A) at fret 11 with your Ring finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 10 with your Middle finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 11 with your Pinky finger.
| Item | In this chord |
|---|---|
| Frets | 3 to 4 |
| Barre | fret 4, from the 3rd to the 1st string |
| Fretting fingers | 3 |
| Open | none |
| Muted | 6th |
At fret 4, only the barre sounds the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings.
Listen: Db9 → Db · Ab · Ab7
Db9 sits in the scale of 1 keys.
The questions that come up most when playing this chord
To play the Db9 chord on guitar, only 5 strings are played, from string 5 to string 1. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.
The primary bass note of the Db9 chord is its root note: Db. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 5 at fret 4.
When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.
The Db9 chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 - ♭7 - 9 formula (Dominant Ninth). Its constituent pitches are Db, F, Ab, Cb, Eb.
To prevent fret buzz on the Db9 barre chord, roll your index finger slightly outward (about 15 degrees) to press with its harder bony edge. Position your finger directly behind the fret wire and apply gentle arm pull from your back rather than squeezing with thumb force.
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