Tools / Chords / C♯ minor add 9

C♯ minor add 9 chord on bass (C♯madd9)

Also written C♯madd9, C♯m add9 or C♯

Bass · C♯m add9/D♯ inversion

C♯ minor add 9 is built from C♯, E, G♯, and D♯. This advanced bass voicing places the 9th in the bass, requiring a wide stretch across four frets.

C♯m add9/D♯ inversion11-11-11-9

How it’s built

C♯1Root

E♭3Minor 3rd

G♯5Perfect 5th

D♯99th

Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionC♯–E–G♯–D♯C♯madd9Bass C♯

First inversionE–G♯–D♯–C♯C♯madd9/EBass E

Second inversionG♯–D♯–C♯–EC♯madd9/G♯Bass G♯

Third inversionD♯–C♯–E–G♯C♯madd9/D♯Bass D♯

Why it sounds like that

C♯ minor add 9 stacks a minor 3rd, perfect 5th, and major 2nd above the root. The added 9th softens the minor quality compared to C♯ minor, which omits the D♯.

What goes wrong with C♯ minor add 9?

Letting the index finger collapse and buzz the G string at fret 9.
Allowing the pinky to drift sharp and fret the D string at fret 12.
Muting the A string with the ring finger while reaching for the D string.

When to use it

C♯ minor add 9 works as the vi chord in E major, appearing in progressions like E–B–C♯m–A (I–V–vi–IV). Its dark, suspended quality suits slow ballads and atmospheric bass lines.

Changing to and from C♯ minor add 9

Sliding the shape down two frets to the 9th fret gives B minor add 9.
From C♯ minor add 9, move the index finger up one fret to play D minor add 9.

Which voicing to use

The default voicing places the 9th, D♯, in the bass, creating a suspended, unresolved feel. Use this inversion when you want the bass to lead with tension before resolving to C♯ minor.

How do you play a C♯ minor add 9 chord on bass?

C♯m add9/D♯ inversion

Intermediate● On the diagram

C♯ minor add 9 is played at the 9th fret as 11 11 11 9: middle finger on the E string at fret 11, ring finger on the A string at fret 11, pinky finger on the D string at fret 11 and index finger on the G string at fret 9.

Tip — The hardest part is stretching the index finger back to fret 9 while the other fingers hold fret 11.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	11	2	D♯ (9)
3 (A)	11	3	G♯ (5)
2 (D)	11	4	C♯ (1)
1 (G)	9	1	E (♭3)

Common questions

How is C♯ minor add 9 written?

C♯ minor add 9 is written as C♯m add9 or C♯ minor add 9. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.

What is the difference between C♯ minor add 9 and C♯ minor 9th?

C♯ minor add 9 contains the 9th but no 7th. C♯ minor 9th includes the ♭7, giving it a more dissonant, jazzy sound.

Can C♯ minor add 9 be played in a lower register?

Yes, but the stretch becomes wider. The same voicing can be played an octave lower by shifting all frets down 12, though the bass may sound muddy.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

D♯ (9)

3 (A)

G♯ (5)

2 (D)

C♯ (1)

1 (G)

E (♭3)