Skip to content

C♯9 chord

C♯9 (C♯ dominant ninth) is C♯, E♯, G♯, B and D♯. It sounds full and funky, a seventh chord with more colour. Also written D♭9 (D♭ F A♭ C♭ E♭): the same keys.

C♯9

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

E♯BC♯G♯D♯

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Tap keys on the piano to find which chord they make. The editor opens without an account.

Notes in the C♯9 chord

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: each number is the note’s place in the C♯ major scale, with ♭ a half step lower and ♯ a half step higher. On the piano it is two white keys and three black keys (C♯, G♯ and D♯). E♯ is the white key F.

The notes of C♯9 and their intervals from C♯
NoteFormulaIntervalHalf steps up
C♯1Root0
E♯3Major third4
G♯5Perfect fifth7
B♭7Minor seventh10
D♯9Major ninth14

C♯9 chord inversions

An inversion is the same chord with another of its notes at the bottom. It keeps the chord’s sound but moves your hand less between chords, which is why pianists use them all the time. The notes are listed lowest first.

Root position

C♯ E♯ G♯ B D♯

Written C♯9, with the root at the bottom.

1st inversion

E♯ G♯ B D♯ C♯

Written C♯9/E♯: E♯ at the bottom.

2nd inversion

G♯ B D♯ C♯ E♯

Written C♯9/G♯: G♯ at the bottom.

3rd inversion

B D♯ C♯ E♯ G♯

Written C♯9/B: B at the bottom.

4th inversion

D♯ C♯ E♯ G♯ B

Written C♯9/D♯: D♯ at the bottom.

Keys with the C♯9 chord

C♯9 is built from the notes of these keys, so it fits songs in them. The Roman numeral says which note of the key it starts on. Each key’s page has its scale and all its chords.

Major keys
Minor keys

Chords that often come after C♯9

F♯F♯ A♯ C♯C♯9 is the V9 of F♯: it resolves there like a V7, with more colour.F♯mF♯ A C♯The same pull into F♯m, home in the minor key.

More piano chords

Other chords on C♯

D♭C♯mC♯7D♭maj7C♯m7C♯sus2C♯sus4D♭add9D♭6C♯dimC♯m7♭5C♯dim7D♭aug

Dominant ninth chords on other notes

C9D9E♭9E9F9F♯9G9A♭9A9B♭9B9

Or see every chord at once on the piano chords chart.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C♯9 chord?

C♯9 is C♯, E♯, G♯, B and D♯. On the piano that is two white keys and three black keys (C♯, G♯ and D♯). E♯ is the white key F.

How do you play C♯9 on the piano?

Most pianists play the root, C♯, with the left hand and the other four, E♯, G♯, B and D♯, with the right hand (fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5). From C♯, count 4 half steps up to E♯, 3 more to G♯, 3 more to B and 4 more to D♯.

What are the inversions of C♯9?

Root position: C♯ E♯ G♯ B D♯. 1st inversion: E♯ G♯ B D♯ C♯ (C♯9/E♯). 2nd inversion: G♯ B D♯ C♯ E♯ (C♯9/G♯). 3rd inversion: B D♯ C♯ E♯ G♯ (C♯9/B). 4th inversion: D♯ C♯ E♯ G♯ B (C♯9/D♯). The notes are the same; only the lowest one changes.

What key is C♯9 in?

In major keys, C♯9 is the V9 chord in F♯ major. In minor keys, it is the VII9 chord in D♯ minor.

Is C♯9 the same as D♭9?

On the piano, yes: the same keys. C♯9 (C♯ E♯ G♯ B D♯) is how it is usually written; as D♭9 it is D♭ F A♭ C♭ E♭.

Can I make a beat with C♯9?

Yes. “Make a beat in F♯ major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in F♯ major on F♯ C♯ D♯m B, the key where C♯9 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♯ D♯m B, the key where C♯9 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 piano chords

Keep going