How to play C9: a dominant 9th built on C, with 2 ways to play it, the notes, the keys it belongs to, and songs that use it.
The first diagram is a common voicing: played at the first few frets. An X above a string means don't play it; an O means play it open.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x 3 2 3 3 3 (x = not played).
| Note | C | E | G | Bb | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | R | 3 | 5 | b7 | 9 |
C9 is a dominant 9th with C as its root. The full theoretical spelling is C, E, G, Bb, D. This voicing sounds every chord tone.
C9 is a diatonic chord (built from the key's own notes) in 1 major key and 1 minor key. The roman numeral is the chord's place in that key; tap a key for all of its chords.
All tools are free with no download. Customize the fingering, print it, or drop it straight into a chart.
🤲 Play C9 a way we don't show? Suggest your voicing and it may join the library (with a thank-you in your inbox).
C9 is spelled C, E, G, Bb, D: the root, 3rd, 5th, flat 7th, 9th. The common guitar voicing sounds every one of them.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x 3 2 3 3 3 (x means the string is not played). Fret the D string at the 2nd fret. Add the A, G, B and high E strings at the 3rd fret. Strum from the A string down; the low E string stays silent.
C9 belongs to 2 keys: F major (the V chord) and D minor (the VII).
