D thirteenth, flat nine

D13(♭9)

Also written D13b9

NotesD · F♯ · A · C · E♭ · B
Formula1 · 3 · 5 · ♭7 · ♭9 · 13
D1A5C♭7B13F♯3E♭♭9
All its notes, from the root

♭9 (E♭) and 13 (B) together — the half-whole diminished dominant. The 13, ♭9 and 3 make a B major triad, so it is played as B over D7.

How pianists voice D13(♭9)

Nobody plays a jazz chord in root position. These are the shapes that actually get played — the same ones Cadenza shows when you play the chord.

Shell Left hand

D1C♭7F♯3

1 · 3 · ♭7 — root, 3rd and 7th: the three notes that say what the chord is. Left hand, low; everything else is colour.

Rootless A From the 3rd

B13C♭7F♯3E♭♭9

3 · 13 · ♭7 · ♭9 — no root: the bass player has it. The left-hand voicing of modern jazz piano.

Rootless B From the 7th

C♭7B13E♭♭9F♯3

♭7 · ♭9 · 3 · 13 — the other half of the pair. A and B alternate through a ii–V–I so the hand barely moves.

Drop 2 Two hands

B13D1C♭7F♯3

13 · 1 · 3 · ♭7 — close position with the second voice from the top dropped an octave: wider, warmer, the standard for chord melody.

Upper structure VI Triad over shell

D1C♭7B13F♯3E♭♭9F♯3

1 · 3 · ♭7 · ♭9 · 3 · 13 — a B major triad in the right hand (13, ♭9 and 3) over the root, 3rd and ♭7 in the left. One familiar shape, all the tension.

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