Which notes are in the C#9 chord?

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

How many ways can you play C#9?

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

Is the C#9 chord hard to play?

C#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#9 and Db9 the same chord?

Yes. C#9 and Db9 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 9th · Guitar

C#9 Chord on Guitar

The C#9 chord (C# dominant 9th) is built from the notes C#, F, G#, B and D#. 2 different guitar fingerings for it are shown below. The same chord is also written Db9; 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 4 — 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 — little finger
string 1 (E): fret 11 — ring finger

Notes in this chord

C♯
F
G♯
B
D♯

Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9

Also written: Db9

How to play

C#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

Dominant ninth chords extend the dominant seventh with a ninth on top. They keep the pull of a seventh chord but sound fuller and more coloured, which is why funk and soul rhythm parts lean on them. On C#9 this structure sits on the root C#, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9 map onto C#, F, G#, B and D#.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the C#9 chord?: C#9 contains the notes C#, F, G#, B and D#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9.
How many ways can you play C#9?: Minory lists 2 guitar fingerings for C#9. They all produce the same chord — what changes is the voicing and where it sits on the neck.
Is the C#9 chord hard to play?: C#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#9 and Db9 the same chord?: Yes. C#9 and Db9 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#9 on your phone

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