Which notes are in the C#add9 chord?

C#add9 contains the notes C#, F, G# and D#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – 9.

How many ways can you play C#add9?

Minory lists a single guitar fingering for C#add9.

Is the C#add9 chord hard to play?

C#add9 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#add9 and Dbadd9 the same chord?

Yes. C#add9 and Dbadd9 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# added 9th · Guitar

C#add9 Chord on Guitar

The C#add9 chord (C# added 9th) is built from the notes C#, F, G# and D#. The guitar fingering for it is shown below. The same chord is also written Dbadd9; both spellings sound identical.

Chord diagrams

C#add9starts at fret 9

Fingering

string 6 (E): muted
string 5 (A): muted
string 4 (D): fret 11 — ring finger
string 3 (G): fret 10 — middle finger
string 2 (B): fret 9 — index finger
string 1 (E): fret 11 — little finger

Notes in this chord

C♯
F
G♯
D♯

Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – 9

Also written: Dbadd9

How to play

C#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

Add9 chords keep the full major triad and add the ninth without a seventh. The extra note widens the chord without making it sound jazzy, which is why it is everywhere in modern acoustic pop. On C#add9 this structure sits on the root C#, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – 9 map onto C#, F, G# and D#.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the C#add9 chord?: C#add9 contains the notes C#, F, G# and D#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – 9.
How many ways can you play C#add9?: Minory lists a single guitar fingering for C#add9.
Is the C#add9 chord hard to play?: C#add9 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#add9 and Dbadd9 the same chord?: Yes. C#add9 and Dbadd9 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#add9 on your phone

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