C#add9 / Dbadd9 Guitar Chord
C#add9 (also written Dbadd9) is an added ninth (add9) chord. It adds the ninth to a major chord without a seventh, giving a bright, shimmering sound. Its notes are Db, F, Ab and Eb. Below is one way to play it, with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in C#add9 / Dbadd9
C#add9 and Dbadd9 are two names for the same chord. The notes below are spelled as Dbadd9.
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Db | R | Root |
| F | 3 | Major 3rd |
| Ab | 5 | Perfect 5th |
| Eb | 9 | Major 9th |
Formula: 1–3–5–9
C#add9 / Dbadd9 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.
Add9 shape 4fr
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 4 6 8 6 x
- Fingers
- – 1 2 4 3 –
How to play C#add9 / Dbadd9 (easiest shape)
Shape: Add9 shape 4fr, tab x 4 6 8 6 x (6th to 1st string).
- 1Put your index finger (1) on the 5th string at the 4th fret.
- 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 4th string at the 6th fret.
- 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 2nd string at the 6th fret.
- 4Put your pinky (4) on the 3rd string at the 8th fret.
- 5Don't play the 6th string.
- 6Keep the 1st string quiet: stop your strum at the 2nd string, or let a fretting finger touch it lightly.
- 7Strum down from the 5th string to the 2nd string.
C#add9 / Dbadd9: common questions
- What notes are in the C#add9 / Dbadd9 chord?
- C#add9 and Dbadd9 are two names for the same chord. Spelled as Dbadd9, it has 4 notes: Db, F, Ab and Eb. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–9.
- Is there an easier way to play C#add9 / Dbadd9?
- The easiest shape on this page is "Add9 shape 4fr" (x 4 6 8 6 x). It needs no barre: each finger presses just one string.
Related chords
Other C#/Db chords
Same chord type, other roots
More guitar tools
See all 231 chords in the chord library, find a scale to play over them, or tune up before you start.