Ninth

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Ninth – Definition

A ninth is a musical interval spanning an octave plus a second. It may be either a major ninth or a minor ninth.

What is a Ninth?

A major ninth consists of fourteen semitones, while a minor ninth consists of thirteen semitones. In harmony, the ninth is often treated as an extension of a chord beyond the octave and commonly appears in jazz, pop, soul, and contemporary music.

Ninths are frequently added to chords to increase harmonic colour and create a richer musical texture.

How is a Ninth used in piano playing?

Pianists often add the ninth to major, minor, and dominant chords to create fuller and more expressive voicings. The note may appear in different octaves depending on the desired sound and the spacing of the chord.

Learning to use ninths helps pianists expand their harmonic vocabulary and create more colourful chord progressions and accompaniments.