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C9 Guitar Chord

C dominant ninth (C9) is made of the notes C E G B♭ D. Here are 3 ways to play it on guitar, starting with the easiest.

How to play C9 on guitar

  1. Shape 1

    Open position

    1 2 3 C D B♭ D E

    x30330

  2. Shape 2

    Barre at fret 5

    5fr 1 4 2 C D G C E B♭

    855556

  3. Shape 3

    Barre at fret 8

    8fr 1 3 2 4 C G B♭ E G D

    8-10-8-9-8-10

Notes in C9

Formula 1 3 5 ♭7 9
DegreeNote
1C
3E
5G
♭7B♭
9D

Shape 1 step by step

  1. Put your index finger on string 5 at fret 3.
  2. Put your middle finger on string 3 at fret 3.
  3. Put your ring finger on string 2 at fret 3.
  4. Let strings 4, 1 ring open.
  5. Don’t play string 6.
  6. Strum from string 5 to string 1.

Shape 2 step by step

  1. Lay your index finger flat across strings 5 to 2 at fret 5.
  2. Put your little finger on string 6 at fret 8.
  3. Put your middle finger on string 1 at fret 6.
  4. Strum from string 6 to string 1.

Tune your guitar first

A chord only sounds right when your instrument is in tune. Check your strings with the free online tuner before you practise. Open the guitar tuner

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C9 chord?

C dominant ninth has the notes C E G B♭ D. Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7 9. The numbers are steps of the major scale, counted from the root.

What is the easiest way to play C9 on guitar?

Start with shape 1 (open position), written as x30330 from string 6 to string 1. Here x means you don’t play that string and 0 means it rings open.

Dominant 9th chords in every key

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