Scale degrees · D♭ major

The ♯9 of D♭ is E

The ♯9 (sharp nine, written #9) of D♭ (D flat, Db) is E: an augmented ninth above the root.

D♭ — the root, 1E — the ♯9

How to find it

A 9th is a 2nd an octave up, so it takes the 2nd's letter: D, E.

Then the sound: an augmented ninth is 15 semitones above D♭, which is exactly where E is — no sharp or flat needed.

Where you meet it

The ♯9 is the tension of the 7♯9 chord. It sounds like the minor 3rd, but it is a raised 9th and is spelled with the 9th's letter.

In D♭7♯9:

D♭ · F · A♭ · C♭ · E

The ♯9 in every key

KeyThe ♯9
CD♯
GA♯
DE♯
AB♯
EF𝄪
BC𝄪
F♯G𝄪
D♭E
A♭B
E♭F♯
B♭C♯
FG♯

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