Guitar arpeggio

D Minor Add9 Guitar Arpeggio

D Minor Add9 is a four-note added-tone arpeggio built from D, F, A, and E. It is also commonly called D Minor Add 9, Dmadd9, and D min add9. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.

Chord tones
D, F, A, E
Formula
1 b3 5 9
Semitones
0 3 7 14
Chord symbols
Dmadd9, Dminadd9
Also called
D Minor Add 9Dmadd9D min add9

How to read this arpeggio

The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent D root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.

Use the interactive fretboard to locate the D root notes and connect the remaining minor add9 chord tones across standard tuning.

This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called D Minor Add 9 or Dmadd9 or D min add9.

Chord construction and defining tones

b3F
9E

D minor add9 is defined by b3 (F) and 9 (E). It keeps the minor triad and adds the ninth without adding a seventh.

Harmonic use

Use this arpeggio over Dmadd9 and minor chords where the natural ninth is part of the voicing or melody.

Practice this arpeggio on guitar

  1. Play the D Minor Add9 arpeggio from one D root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
  2. Connect b3 (F) and 9 (E) across two octaves and compare the color of the ninth against the minor third.
  3. Play over Dmadd9, treating the ninth as a color tone that resolves to the root or minor third.

Fretboard diagram

D Minor Add9 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning
D Minor Add9 Guitar Arpeggio fretboard diagram in standard tuning.

Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool

Start with D Minor Add9 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.

Open in interactive fretboard

Arpeggio diagrams by tuning