C9 Guitar Chord
C9 is a dominant ninth chord. It stacks a major ninth on top of a dominant seventh chord and is a staple of funk and blues. Its notes are C, E, G, Bb and D. Below is one way to play it, with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in C9
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | Root |
| E | 3 | Major 3rd |
| G | 5 | Perfect 5th |
| Bb | b7 | Minor 7th |
| D | 9 | Major 9th |
Formula: 1–3–5–b7–9
C9 chord shapes
Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.
E-shape 8fr
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 8 10 8 9 8 10
- Fingers
- 1 3 1 2 1 4
How to play C9 (easiest shape)
Shape: E-shape 8fr, tab 8 10 8 9 8 10 (6th to 1st string).
- 1Lay your index finger (1) flat across the 6th to 2nd strings at the 8th fret (a barre).
- 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 3rd string at the 9th fret.
- 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 5th string at the 10th fret.
- 4Put your pinky (4) on the 1st string at the 10th fret.
- 5Strum down from the 6th string to the 1st string.
C9: common questions
- What notes are in the C9 chord?
- C9 has 5 notes: C, E, G, Bb and D. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–b7–9.
- Is there an easier way to play C9?
- The easiest shape on this page is "E-shape 8fr" (8 10 8 9 8 10). Every shape on this page is a barre chord. Barre shapes are movable: keep the same hand shape and slide it along the neck to play this type of chord from other roots.
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