How do you play the A m(add9)/D chord?

To play the A m(add9)/D chord on piano, play the A m(add9) chord (A, C, E and B) with D as the lowest bass note. Place the D note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The A m(add9)/D chord means a A m(add9) chord with D in the bass.

A m(add9)/D

Q: What notes are in the A m(add9)/D chord?

The A m(add9)/D chord uses the 4 notes of the A m(add9) chord — A (Perfect unison), C (Minor third), E (Perfect fifth) and B (Major ninth) — with D played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The A m(add9) chord consists of the A (Perfect unison), C (Minor third), E (Perfect fifth) and B (Major ninth) notes, with D as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a A m(add9)/D chord

How to play the A m(add9)/D chord

Play D as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find A (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add C (Minor third) — 3 semitones above A
Add E (Perfect fifth) — 7 semitones above A
Add B (Major ninth) — 14 semitones above A
Press all 5 notes simultaneously to sound the A m(add9)/D chord

Related slash chords

A m(add2)/D