How to play

How to play the D7b9 chord on guitar

Spice up your playing with this jazzy chord, featured in "The Girl from Ipanema."

The D7b9 chord

The D7b9 chord, pronounced "D dominant flat ninth," is a unique and jazzy variation of the standard D7 chord. Known for its distinctive dissonant sound, the D7b9 adds a flattened ninth note to the dominant seventh chord. This chord is commonly used in jazz, blues, and funk music to add tension and flavor to progressions, and can often be heard in gritty guitar solos.

There are many ways to play a chord. Here's a diagram for the most common D7b9 chord. We've also included other versions below.

D7b9 guitar chord diagram

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Finger placement for D7b9 chord

The most common way to play the D7b9 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 5th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a D7b9 chord on your guitar:

  1. Barre your index finger across the 5th fret, covering all six strings.
  2. Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
  3. Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 4th (D) string.
  4. Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to play all six strings together in a downward motion.

D7b9 guitar chord with finger positions

How to play an easy D7b9 chord on guitar

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the D7b9 chord, try this:

  1. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd (B) string.
  2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
  3. Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st (high E) string.
  4. Strum only the top three strings.

How to play a D7b9 bar chord

The D7b9 chord is typically played as a standard open chord, but playing it as a barre chord allows you to easily change positions and play the chord in different keys up and down the fretboard.

Here's how to play a D7b9 bar chord:

  1. Barre your index finger across the 10th fret, covering all six strings.
  2. Place your middle finger on the 11th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
  3. Place your ring finger on the 12th fret of the 4th (D) string.
  4. Place your pinky finger on the 12th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
  5. Strum all six strings from low to high.

Common D7b9 chord progressions

The D7b9 chord is often used to add tension and a bluesy, jazzy flavor to progressions, creating a sense of longing or bittersweet emotions. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the D7b9 chord:

  • I - IV - I - D7b9 (C - F - C - D7b9) - Used in "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin
  • I - vi - ii - D7b9 (C - Am - Dm - D7b9)
  • ii - V7 - I - D7b9 (Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7 - D7b9) - Used in "Girl from Ipanema" by Antônio Carlos Jobim
  • I - vi - D7b9 - I (C - Am - D7b9 - C)
  • ii - V7 - I - iv - D7b9 (Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj7 - Fm - D7b9)

Drills to master the D7b9 chord

To master the D7b9 chord, try playing the notes individually, focusing on clean execution. Once comfortable, play the notes together as a chord, strumming or plucking. Repeat this process slowly, gradually increasing speed until you can transition to and from the chord seamlessly.

Another helpful drill is to practice the chord progression D7-D7b9-Dm7-G7. This common progression will help you develop muscle memory and train your ears to recognize the chord's sound in context. As you improve, try incorporating the D7b9 chord into your favorite songs or improvisations.

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Songs that feature the D7b9 chord

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the D7b9 chord.

  1. The Girl from Ipanema by Stan Getz & João Gilberto (Chords: F, G7, Gm7, A7, D7b9, G7sus4, G7)
  2. Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin (Chords: C6, D7b9, G7, C6)
  3. Minor Swing by Django Reinhardt (Chords: Am6, D7b9, Gm6, A7b9)
  4. A Night in Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie (Chords: Cm, Fm7, Bb7, Eb7, D7b9, G7b9, Cm)
  5. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
  6. I Got Rhythm by George Gershwin (Chords: B, G7, C7, F7, D7, A7b9, D7b9, G7)
  7. Donna Lee by Charlie Parker (Chords: A, D7b9, G, C#7, F#m, B7b9, E, A7b9, D, G7)
  8. Parisienne Walkways by Gary Moore
  9. Misty by Erroll Garner (Chords: Eb, Bbm7, Eb7, Ab, Ab7, Fm7, Bb7, Eb, C7, Fm7, D7b9)
  10. Sweet Georgia Brown by Ben Bernie (Chords: F, D7b9, G7, C7)

How a guitar teacher can help

If you feel stuck in your playing, it might help to take personalized guitar lessons with an expert guitarist. Taking lessons with a pro gives you access to the skills, feedback, and motivation to reach your goals.

You can find expert guitar teachers to support you in the journey. Thousands of people have turned to online guitar lessons on Til, instead of traditional in-person lessons, because Til gives you access to the best teachers in the world from the comfort of home. And with flexible scheduling, secure payments, lesson recordings, and a private chat with your teacher–there’s never been a better way to learn guitar.