Which notes are in the C9 chord?

C9 contains the notes C, E, G, A# and D. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9.

How many ways can you play C9?

Minory lists a single ukulele fingering for C9.

Is the C9 chord hard to play?

Not really. The open position of C9 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.

C dominant 9th · Ukulele

C9 Chord on Ukulele

The C9 chord (C dominant 9th) is built from the notes C, E, G, A# and D. The ukulele fingering for it is shown below.

Chord diagrams

C9open position

Fingering

string 4 (G): played open
string 3 (C): fret 2 — middle finger
string 2 (E): played open
string 1 (A): fret 1 — index finger

Notes in this chord

C
E
G
A♯
D

Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9

How to play

C9 can be played with open strings on ukulele, 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 C9 this structure sits on the root C, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9 map onto C, E, G, A# and D.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the C9 chord?: C9 contains the notes C, E, G, A# and D. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9.
How many ways can you play C9?: Minory lists a single ukulele fingering for C9.
Is the C9 chord hard to play?: Not really. The open position of C9 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.

Practise C9 on your phone

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