C9 chord on guitar
C Dominant Ninth. Notes: C, E, G, Bb and D.
How to play C9
- Put your ring finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E).
- Put your middle finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 3 (C).
- Put your pinky finger on the 2nd (B) string at fret 3 (D).
- Let the open low E, G and high E strings ring.
- Strum from the low E string down.
Lowest note: EStrings played: 6 of 6Other voicings: 4 below
All 5 ways to play C9
Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.Open position
EasyFret 9 position
HardBarre at fret 3
HardBarre at fret 7
HardBarre at fret 8
HardNotes and theory
Croot
E3 · major third
G5 · perfect fifth
Bbb7 · minor seventh
D9 · ninth
The dominant ninth is a seventh chord with a ninth on top. It is a funk and blues favorite with a fuller sound than a plain 7. The formula is 1 3 5 b7 9.
More C chords
All C guitar chordsCmajorCmminorC7dominant seventhCm7minor seventhCmaj7major seventhCsus4suspended fourthCsus2suspended secondCdimdiminishedCaugaugmentedC6major sixthCadd9added ninthCm7b5half-diminishedCdim7diminished seventhC7sus4dominant seventh suspended fourthC5power chordCm6minor sixthCm9minor ninthCmaj9major ninth
dominant ninth chords in every key
Questions
What notes are in the C9 chord?
C9 (C dominant ninth) is made of five notes: C (root), E (major third), G (perfect fifth), Bb (minor seventh) and D (ninth).
How do you play C9 on guitar?
The easiest C9 is the "open position" shape. Put your ring finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E). Put your middle finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 3 (C). Put your pinky finger on the 2nd (B) string at fret 3 (D).
Is C9 hard to play on guitar?
No. The easiest version is rated easy and uses 3 fretted notes plus open strings.
What does a dominant ninth chord sound like?
The dominant ninth is a seventh chord with a ninth on top. It is a funk and blues favorite with a fuller sound than a plain 7.