Dominant 7ths to 9ths

Add variety and color to voicings

When you’re comping on dominant 7ths, the root is often unnecessary. The 3rd and 7th define the chord, and replacing the root with the 9th instantly creates a clearer, more modern voicing.

Why this works

• Keeps the harmony clear without crowding the bass

• Adds color without sounding altered

• Improves voice-leading into the next chord

• Sits better in a group setting

How to apply it

• Take any dominant 7th shape and swap the root for the 9th

• Think 3–7–9–13 instead of root-based grips

• On ii–V–I progressions, use rootless V7 voicings with the 9th on top or inside

Practice idea
Comp through a tune and omit the root on every dominant chord, using the 9th instead. Listen for smoother motion and more space in the sound.

This one adjustment can immediately upgrade your dominant chord vocabulary without learning new shapes, just hearing the chord differently.

Here are the shapes that you'll need:

Work at internalizing and hearing the shapes. Remind the ear of a low G. Try tapping it with the picking hand.