Which notes are in the C#7♯9 chord?

C#7♯9 contains the notes C#, F, G#, B and E. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – ♯9.

How many ways can you play C#7♯9?

Minory lists 2 guitar fingerings for C#7♯9. They all produce the same chord — what changes is the voicing and where it sits on the neck.

Is the C#7♯9 chord hard to play?

C#7♯9 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.

Are C#7♯9 and Db7♯9 the same chord?

Yes. C#7♯9 and Db7♯9 are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.

C# dominant 7th sharp 9 · Guitar

C#7♯9 Chord on Guitar

The C#7♯9 chord (C# dominant 7th sharp 9) is built from the notes C#, F, G#, B and E. 2 different guitar fingerings for it are shown below. The same chord is also written Db7♯9; both spellings sound identical.

Chord diagrams

Position 1starts at fret 3

Fingering

string 6 (E): muted
string 5 (A): fret 4 — middle finger
string 4 (D): fret 3 — index finger
string 3 (G): fret 4 — ring finger
string 2 (B): fret 5 — little finger
string 1 (E): muted

Position 2starts at fret 10

Fingering

string 6 (E): muted
string 5 (A): muted
string 4 (D): fret 11 — middle finger
string 3 (G): fret 10 — index finger
string 2 (B): fret 12 — ring finger
string 1 (E): fret 12 — little finger

Notes in this chord

C♯
F
G♯
B
E

Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – ♯9

Also written: Db7♯9

How to play

C#7♯9 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

Often called the Hendrix chord, the 7♯9 stacks a sharpened ninth over a dominant seventh. Major and minor thirds sound at once, producing the gritty clash that defines psychedelic rock and funk. On C#7♯9 this structure sits on the root C#, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – ♯9 map onto C#, F, G#, B and E.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the C#7♯9 chord?: C#7♯9 contains the notes C#, F, G#, B and E. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – ♯9.
How many ways can you play C#7♯9?: Minory lists 2 guitar fingerings for C#7♯9. They all produce the same chord — what changes is the voicing and where it sits on the neck.
Is the C#7♯9 chord hard to play?: C#7♯9 requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.
Are C#7♯9 and Db7♯9 the same chord?: Yes. C#7♯9 and Db7♯9 are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.

Practise C#7♯9 on your phone

Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.