Learn › Dmaj9 Chord on Piano (D Major 9th)
New Released in April 2026
Dmaj9 Chord on Piano (D Major 9th)
The D major 9th chord (Dmaj9) uses the piano keys D, F#, A, C# and E: the major seventh Dmaj7 plus the 9th, E. Expect a sound that is lush and calm, the classic jazz-ballad colour.
No account, no download. The demo has limited content. Advanced features are in ChordRunner Premium.
- MIDI keyboard
- Digital or acoustic piano
- Guitar
- Computer, phone or tablet
Building Dmaj9 from Dmaj7
Every chord is a recipe of scale steps. For Dmaj9 the recipe is 1 3 5 7 9, counted from D.
Start chord: Dmaj7
| Note | Step | Interval | Keys from D |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 1 | root | 0 |
| F# | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| A | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| C# | 7 | major 7th | 11 |
| E | 9 | major 9th | 14 |
Where your hand goes for Dmaj9
Same notes, different order. Pick the position closest to the chord you just played.
Both hands: D C# F# A E
Rootless, 3rd on the bottom: F# A C# E
Rootless, 7th on the bottom: C# E F# A
Left hand alone: D C#
Fingering
| Left hand | D C# | 5 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Right hand | F# A E | 1 2 4 |
A second name for the same keys
Look at the four top notes of Dmaj9: F# A C# E. They form F#m7. So Dmaj9 is D in the bass with F#m7 on top, an easy way to find it fast.
Where Dmaj9 is used
- Dmaj9 is the I chord of D major and the IV chord of A major.
- It replaces Dmaj7 when a song wants a softer, wider sound.
Make Dmaj9 automatic
- Say the notes out loud while you press them: D, F#, A, C# and E.
- Switch between Dmaj7 and Dmaj9 ten times without looking at your hand.
- Try Dmaj9 in a rootless shape with the 3rd on the bottom, the position that sits closest to your last chord.
- Then test it in random order among other chords: recall under time pressure is what sticks.
Keep each session short and frequent and Dmaj9 will become automatic.
Play Dmaj9 in a game
ChordRunner shows a chord symbol and you play it on a MIDI keyboard, a real piano through the microphone or the on-screen keys. Major and minor 9ths have their own level, "Ninth Chords".
Play the demoCommon questions
How do you play Dmaj9 on the piano?
Press D, F#, A, C# and E together. Left hand plays D C# (fingers 5 and 1), right hand F# A E (1, 2, 4).
Is Dmaj9 the same as F#m7?
Not quite: F#m7 (F# A C# E) is only the upper part of Dmaj9. Add D underneath and you have the full Dmaj9.
Where is Dmaj9 used?
Dmaj9 is the I chord of D major and the IV chord of A major. It replaces Dmaj7 when a song wants a softer, wider sound.
Can I practise Dmaj9 with a MIDI keyboard or a real piano?
Yes. In ChordRunner a USB MIDI keyboard is detected automatically, and an acoustic or digital piano works through the microphone. The game checks that D, F#, A, C# and E sound together.
Your instrument is the controller.
ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
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