C#9 Guitar Chord
C#9 is a five-note dominant ninth chord built from C#, F, G#, B, D#. Adding the major ninth to the dominant seventh chord creates a rich, full sound central to blues, jazz, funk, and soul. Like all dominant chords, it most naturally resolves to F# major.
4 ways to play C#9
Notes
Intervals
C# (Root), F (Major 3rd), G# (Perfect 5th), B (Minor 7th), D# (Major 9th)
Notes in the C# Dominant 9th Chord
The C# Dominant 9th chord is built from 5 notes: C#, F, G#, B, D#. It is a dominant 9th chord — built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth. On guitar, these notes are voiced across multiple strings simultaneously to create the full chord sound. Depending on the voicing, some notes may be doubled in different octaves to fill out the sound.
Common Chord Progressions with C#9
C# Dominant 9th appears in many common progressions. Here are the most-used patterns when C#9 is the tonic chord:
Use our chords in a key tool to find all the chords that naturally pair with C#9 in any key.
Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the C# Dominant 9th chord?
The C# Dominant 9th chord is made up of C#, F, G#, B, D#. These 5 notes form a five-note chord structure.
What key is the C# Dominant 9th chord in?
C# Dominant 9th is a less common chord that doesn't appear as a diatonic chord in the standard 12 major keys, but is used as a borrowed or chromatic chord in many styles.
How do I play the C#9 chord on guitar?
Place your fingers on the guitar fretboard according to the diagram above. The numbered dots show finger placement (1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring, 4 = pinky), "O" means play the string open, and "X" means mute that string.
Other C# Chords
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