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D minor add 9 chord on guitar (Dmadd9)
Also called or written Dmadd9, Dm add9, D or D minor Add 9th
D minor add 9 is built from D, F, A, and E. The 10th-fret barre shape is identical in fingering to A minor add 9 but five frets higher.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9
- Root positionD–F–A–EDmadd910-12-12-10-10-12
- First inversionF–A–E–DDmadd9/F1-0-0-2-3-0
- Second inversionA–E–D–FDmadd9/A×-0-2-2-3-1
- Third inversionE–D–F–ADmadd9/E0-0-0-2-3-1
How do you play a D minor add 9 chord on guitar?
D minor add 9 is played at the 10th fret as 10 12 12 10 10 12: barre your index finger across fret 10, middle finger on the A string at fret 12, ring finger on the D string at fret 12 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 12.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10 | 1 (barre) | D (1) |
| 5 (A) | 12 | 2 | A (5) |
| 4 (D) | 12 | 3 | D (1) |
| 3 (G) | 10 | 1 (barre) | F (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 10 | 1 (barre) | A (5) |
| 1 (e) | 12 | 4 | E (2) |
AdvancedThe index barre must hold the 6th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings at the 10th fret while the pinky reaches the 12th fret on the high e.
Dm add9/F inversion · 1-0-0-2-3-0 — the easy shape, no barre
D minor add 9 is played in open position as 1 0 0 2 3 0: index finger on the low E string at fret 1, middle finger on the G string at fret 2 and ring finger on the B string at fret 3. The A, D and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (♭3) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (5) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 3 | D (1) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (2) |
Dm add9/F inversion · 1-0-2-2-3-0
D minor add 9 is played in open position as 1 0 2 2 3 0: index finger on the low E string at fret 1, middle finger on the D string at fret 2, ring finger on the G string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 3. The A and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (♭3) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (2) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (5) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (1) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (2) |
Dm add9/F inversion · 1-0-3-2-3-0
D minor add 9 is played in open position as 1 0 3 2 3 0: index finger on the low E string at fret 1, ring finger on the D string at fret 3, middle finger on the G string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 3. The A and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (♭3) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
| 4 (D) | 3 | 3 | F (♭3) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (5) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (1) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (2) |
Dm add9/A inversion
D minor add 9 is played in open position as × 0 2 2 3 1: middle finger on the D string at fret 2, ring finger on the G string at fret 2, pinky finger on the B string at fret 3 and index finger on the high e string at fret 1. The A string rings open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (2) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (5) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (1) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 1 | F (♭3) |
Why it sounds like that
D minor add 9 uses the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9. The major 2nd between D and E adds the ninth, while the minor 3rd between D and F keeps the minor quality. Compare with D minor, which omits the ninth.
What goes wrong with D minor add 9?
- Letting the index barre lift off the high e string, causing a buzz at the 10th fret.
- Flattening the middle finger onto the 4th string and deadening the D at the 12th fret.
When to use it
D minor add 9 works as the vi chord in F major, as in F–C–Dm–B♭, the I–V–vi–IV. It suits folk and acoustic passages where the added ninth adds a gentle, open quality.
Changing to and from D minor add 9
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 8th fret gives C minor add 9.
- From D minor, lift the pinky and middle finger to return to the 10th-fret D minor barre.
Which voicing to use
The 10th-fret voicing puts D in the bass for a root-position sound. The Dm add9/F inversion at the 1st fret places F in the bass, giving a darker, less stable feel.
Other D chords
Common questions
What is the difference between D minor add 9 and D minor 9?
D minor add 9 contains only the root, minor third, fifth, and ninth. D minor 9 adds the minor seventh as well, creating a denser, more dissonant sound.
Can I play D minor add 9 without the barre?
Yes, the Dm add9/F inversion at the 1st fret uses no barre. It places F in the bass and is easier for beginners.
Why does the 10th-fret shape feel so stretchy?
The pinky must reach two frets above the barre on the high e string. This stretch is the main physical challenge of the voicing.