How to play C9#11: a dominant 9th sharp 11 built on C, with 1 voicing, 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 2 (x = not played).
| Note | C | E | Bb | D | F# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | R | 3 | b7 | 9 | #11 |
C9#11 is a dominant 9th sharp 11 with C as its root. The full theoretical spelling is C, E, G, Bb, D, F#. This voicing omits the 5th, the tone guitarists drop first when fitting a chord onto six strings.
C9#11 is not a diatonic chord in any major or minor key: it turns up as a borrowed chord, a passing chord or an altered dominant, which is part of its color.
All tools are free with no download. Customize the fingering, print it, or drop it straight into a chart.
🤲 Play C9#11 a way we don't show? Suggest your voicing and it may join the library (with a thank-you in your inbox).
C9#11 is spelled C, E, G, Bb, D, F#: the root, 3rd, 5th, flat 7th, 9th, sharp 11th. The common guitar voicing sounds C, E, Bb, D, F#, leaving out the 5th.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x 3 2 3 3 2 (x means the string is not played). Lay your index finger across the 2nd fret from the D string to the high E string (a barre). Add the A, G and B strings at the 3rd fret. Strum from the A string down; the low E string stays silent.
C9#11 is not a diatonic chord in any major or minor key: it turns up as a borrowed chord, a passing chord or an altered dominant, which is part of its color.
