C minor added 9th · Guitar
Cm(add9) Chord on Guitar
The Cm(add9) chord (C minor added 9th) is built from the notes C, D#, G and D. The guitar fingering for it is shown below.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 6 (E): muted
- string 5 (A): fret 3 — middle finger
- string 4 (D): fret 1 — index finger
- string 3 (G): played open
- string 2 (B): fret 3 — ring finger
- string 1 (E): fret 3 — little finger
Notes in this chord
- C
- D♯
- G
- D
Degrees: 1 – ♭3 – 5 – 9
How to play
Cm(add9) can be played with open strings on guitar, which makes it an accessible shape for beginners. Strings marked ○ ring open, while strings marked ✕ are muted.
Theory behind the chord
Minor add9 chords add the ninth to a plain minor triad without a seventh. The added tone brightens the minor colour just enough to keep it open and cinematic rather than sad. On Cm(add9) this structure sits on the root C, so the degrees 1 – ♭3 – 5 – 9 map onto C, D#, G and D.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the Cm(add9) chord?
- Cm(add9) contains the notes C, D#, G and D. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – ♭3 – 5 – 9.
- How many ways can you play Cm(add9)?
- Minory lists a single guitar fingering for Cm(add9).
- Is the Cm(add9) chord hard to play?
- Not really. The open position of Cm(add9) uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.
Practise Cm(add9) on your phone
Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.
