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C9 chord on guitar

C9 (C dominant ninth) is C, E, G, B♭ and D. The easiest way to play it is on the top five strings, written x32333. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 3rd to 1st strings at the 3rd fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

C9

C dominant ninth · C E G B♭ D · 1 3 5 ♭7 9

  • 2nd fret

    Root on the 5th string

    21333CEB♭DG

    x32333

  • 8th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    8fr21314CB♭EGD

    8-x-8-9-8-10

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are C, the root.

How to play C9

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Root on the 5th string · 2nd fret

    x32333
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.
    • Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 3rd to 1st strings at the 3rd fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Root on the 6th string · 8th fret

    8-x-8-9-8-10
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 4th to 2nd strings at the 8th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 6th string, 8th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 1st string, 10th fret.
    • Mute the 5th string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

Notes in the C9 chord

C9 is C, E, G, B♭ and D, and it sounds full and funky, a seventh chord with more colour. From C, count 4 half steps up to E, 3 more to G, 3 more to B♭ and 4 more to D. Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7 9. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with C lowest. See its inversions and keys on the C9 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after C9

Fxx3211C9 is the V9 of F: it resolves there like a V7, with more colour.Fmxx3111The same pull into Fm, home in the minor key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on C

CCmC7Cmaj7Cm7Csus2Csus4Cadd9C6CdimCm7♭5Cdim7Caug

Dominant ninth chords on other notes

C♯9D9E♭9E9F9F♯9G9A♭9A9B♭9B9

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play C9 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is on the top five strings, written x32333. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 3rd to 1st strings at the 3rd fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the C9 chord?

C9 is C, E, G, B♭ and D. In the shape written x32333, the 5th to 1st strings play C, E, B♭, D and G.

Is C9 a barre chord?

No: none of its shapes here needs a barre.

How many ways can you play C9 on guitar?

This page shows two: x32333 (2nd fret) and 8-x-8-9-8-10 (8th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with C9?

Yes. “Make a beat in F major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in F major on F C Dm B♭, the key where C9 is the V9 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in F major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in F major on F C Dm B♭, the key where C9 is the V9 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in F majorAll guitar chords

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