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C 6th add 9 chord on guitar (C6/9)
Also called or written C6/9, C6add9, C 6th Add 9th or C 6th 9
C 6th add 9 contains C, E, G, A, and D. The 2nd fret grip mutes the low E string and barres the D and G strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6, 9
- Root positionC–E–G–A–DC6/9×-3-2-2-3-3
- First inversionE–G–A–D–CC6/9/E0-0-0-0-1-0
- Second inversionG–A–D–C–EC6/9/G3-0-0-0-1-0
- Third inversionA–D–C–E–GC6/9/A×-0-0-0-1-0
- Fourth inversionD–C–E–G–AC6/9/D×-5-5-5-5-5
How do you play a C 6th add 9 chord on guitar?
C 6th add 9 is played at the 2nd fret as × 3 2 2 3 3: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the A string at fret 3, ring finger on the B string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (3) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (6) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 3 | D (2) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 4 | G (5) |
AdvancedThe index barre must fret the D and G strings cleanly while the middle finger reaches the A string at the 3rd fret.
7th fret
C 6th add 9 is played at the 7th fret as 8 7 7 7 8 8: barre your index finger across fret 7, middle finger on the low E string at fret 8, ring finger on the B string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8 | 2 | C (1) |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 1 (barre) | E (3) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 1 (barre) | A (6) |
| 3 (G) | 7 | 1 (barre) | D (2) |
| 2 (B) | 8 | 3 | G (5) |
| 1 (e) | 8 | 4 | C (1) |
14th fret
C 6th add 9 is played at the 14th fret as × 15 14 14 15 15: barre your index finger across fret 14, middle finger on the A string at fret 15, ring finger on the B string at fret 15 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 15. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 15 | 2 | C (1) |
| 4 (D) | 14 | 1 (barre) | E (3) |
| 3 (G) | 14 | 1 (barre) | A (6) |
| 2 (B) | 15 | 3 | D (2) |
| 1 (e) | 15 | 4 | G (5) |
C6add9/E inversion · E on top — the easy shape, no barre
C 6th add 9 is played in open position as 0 0 0 0 1 0: index finger on the B string at fret 1. The low E, A, D, G and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (3) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (6) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (2) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 1 | C (1) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (3) |
C6add9/E inversion · G on top
C 6th add 9 is played in open position as 0 0 0 0 1 3: index finger on the B string at fret 1 and middle finger on the high e string at fret 3. The low E, A, D and G strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (3) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (6) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (2) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 1 | C (1) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 2 | G (5) |
Why it sounds like that
C 6th add 9 is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 6, 9. The major 6th and major 2nd add color to the major triad. Compare it to C 6th, which omits the 9th.
What goes wrong with C 6th add 9?
- Let the low E string sound by not muting it properly.
- Allow the index barre to lift off the G string, causing a dead note.
When to use it
Use C 6th add 9 as the tonic in C major progressions like C–F–G–C (I–IV–V–I). It fits folk, pop, and singer-songwriter styles.
Changing to and from C 6th add 9
- Slide the shape down one fret to the 1st fret to play B 6th add 9.
- Slide the shape up one fret to the 3rd fret to play C♯ 6th add 9.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd fret position keeps C in the bass. The C6add9/E inversions put E in the bass, giving a brighter, first-inversion sound.
Other C chords
Common questions
Why is the low E string muted in C 6th add 9?
The open E string is a chord tone, but it is muted to preserve the intended bass note and voicing.
How does C 6th add 9 differ from C 6th?
C 6th add 9 adds the 9th, D, to the C 6th chord. The 9th creates a more colorful, extended sound.
What are the alternate symbols for C 6th add 9?
C 6th add 9 is written C6/9 or C6add9.