C9 chord (C dominant ninth) on guitar
C9 (C dominant ninth) has five notes: C, E, G, B flat and D. Its formula is 1, 3, 5, b7, 9. In major keys, C9 is the V9 chord in F major.
C9 chord shapes
Fingers: 1 on A, 2 on G, 3 on B.
Fingers: 3 on A, 4 on G, 1 on B.
Fingers: 2 on A, 1 on D, 3 on G, 4 on B.
Finger 1 barres fret 7, then 2 on E, 3 on D, 4 on B, 4 on e.
Finger 1 barres fret 5, then 4 on E, 2 on e.
Finger 1 barres fret 5, then 4 on E, 3 on G, 2 on e.
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| Symbol | C9 |
|---|---|
| Also written | Cdom9 |
| Notes | C E G Bb D |
| Formula | 1 3 5 b7 9 |
| Intervals | root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major second |
| Type | Dominant ninth chord |
C9 across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 0 E (3), fret 3 G (5), fret 6 Bb (flat 7), fret 8 C (1), fret 10 D (9), fret 12 E (3), fret 15 G (5), fret 18 Bb (flat 7), fret 20 C (1), fret 22 D (9), fret 24 E (3).
- A string: fret 1 Bb (flat 7), fret 3 C (1), fret 5 D (9), fret 7 E (3), fret 10 G (5), fret 13 Bb (flat 7), fret 15 C (1), fret 17 D (9), fret 19 E (3), fret 22 G (5).
- D string: fret 0 D (9), fret 2 E (3), fret 5 G (5), fret 8 Bb (flat 7), fret 10 C (1), fret 12 D (9), fret 14 E (3), fret 17 G (5), fret 20 Bb (flat 7), fret 22 C (1), fret 24 D (9).
- G string: fret 0 G (5), fret 3 Bb (flat 7), fret 5 C (1), fret 7 D (9), fret 9 E (3), fret 12 G (5), fret 15 Bb (flat 7), fret 17 C (1), fret 19 D (9), fret 21 E (3), fret 24 G (5).
- B string: fret 1 C (1), fret 3 D (9), fret 5 E (3), fret 8 G (5), fret 11 Bb (flat 7), fret 13 C (1), fret 15 D (9), fret 17 E (3), fret 20 G (5), fret 23 Bb (flat 7).
- e string: fret 0 E (3), fret 3 G (5), fret 6 Bb (flat 7), fret 8 C (1), fret 10 D (9), fret 12 E (3), fret 15 G (5), fret 18 Bb (flat 7), fret 20 C (1), fret 22 D (9), fret 24 E (3).
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Questions
What notes are in the C9 chord?
C9 (C dominant ninth) has five notes: C, E, G, B flat and D. Its formula is 1, 3, 5, b7, 9. C is the root, E is the major third, G is the perfect fifth, Bb is the minor seventh and D is the major second.
How do you play C9 on guitar?
The easiest shape is x30330. Fingers: 1 on A, 2 on G, 3 on B.
What key is C9 in?
In major keys, C9 is the V9 chord in F major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between C9 and C7?
C9 is C7 (C, E, G and Bb) with D, the 9th, added.