A sharp Ninth no fifth

Dominant ninth (no fifth) is a voicing-oriented label: you keep the dominant seventh backbone with a ninth extension, but you omit the perfect fifth to reduce midrange density. Functionally it still behaves like dominant harmony when 3 and ♭7 are present; the missing fifth is usually inferred from context or supplied by the bass.

Construction

Core tones: 1-3-♭7-9 (fifth deliberately omitted). In C9(no5), a common shape is C-E-B♭-D. The ninth widens the chord above the seventh while leaving more room for altered tones or clearer voice leading.

Usage

Very common in jazz comping, pop keyboards, and arranged horn pads where the fifth would double the bass or clutter the middle register. It is also useful when you want a ninth color without sounding as thick as a complete five-note stack.

Examples

• Shell-plus-ninth voicings on guitar and piano
• Section writing where the bass carries the root/fifth implication
• Neo-soul and R&B pads that prioritize smooth extensions

Play

Prioritize 3-♭7 voice leading into the next chord, place the ninth in a clear upper register, and avoid doubling the root in the same octave as dense upper notes.

Harmonic function in progressions

Same dominant grammar as 9; the “no fifth” detail is mainly about texture and clarity, not a different resolution type.

Ear-training cues

It should still read as dominant ninth—if it does not, check whether the third or seventh is missing or masked.