C#9 Chord (C# dominant 9th) on Guitar
C#9 (C# dominant 9th) is made of the notes C# – E# – G# – B – D#. The easiest guitar fingering is x41101 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
Higher position
How to play C#9
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 4 (C#).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 1 (D#).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 1 (G#).
- Play the 2nd string (B) open (B).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 1 (E#).
- Do not play the 6th string (low E).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | x (mute) | - | |
| 5th string (A) | 4 | C# | R |
| 4th string (D) | 1 | D# | 9 |
| 3rd string (G) | 1 | G# | 5 |
| 2nd string (B) | 0 (open) | B | b7 |
| 1st string (high e) | 1 | E# | 3 |
What is a C# dominant 9th chord?
A dominant 9th chord stacks a major ninth on top of a dominant 7th chord. It contains root, major third, (fifth), minor seventh and ninth.
Notes and formula. C#9 contains C#, E#, G#, B, D#. Counted from the root C#, that is R (root), 3 (major 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th), b7 (minor 7th), 9 (major 9th). It is also written Db9; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
Sound. Funky, jazzy and rich. It is a dominant 7th with extra colour.
Where it is used. Core chord in funk, soul, blues and jazz, such as the classic "James Brown" style stabs.
Tips for playing C#9
You usually skip the fifth to keep the shape playable. Mute strings you do not need with the side of your fingers.
Common mistake: Strumming all six strings. 9th chords sound tighter when you play only the strings in the shape.
Scales to play over C#9
Related chords
C#9 chord FAQ
What notes are in a C#9 chord?
C#9 (C# dominant 9th) contains the notes C#, E#, G#, B, D#. The formula is R–3–5–b7–9 relative to the root C#.
How do you play C#9 on guitar?
The most common shape for C#9 is x41101, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Is C#9 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Is C#9 the same as Db9?
Yes. C# and Db are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so C#9 and Db9 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
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