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C♯ add 9 chord on guitar (C♯add9)
Also called or written C♯add9, C♯ or C♯ Add 9th
C♯ add 9 is built from C♯, E♯, G♯ and D♯. The default grip at the 9th fret is an advanced stretch with the 9th on the high E string.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 9
- Root positionC♯–E♯–G♯–D♯C♯add9×-×-11-10-9-11
- First inversionE♯–G♯–D♯–C♯C♯add9/E♯1-×-1-1-2-1
- Second inversionG♯–D♯–C♯–E♯C♯add9/G♯4-4-3-×-4-×
- Third inversionD♯–C♯–E♯–G♯C♯add9/D♯×-×-1-1-2-1
How do you play a C♯ add 9 chord on guitar?
C♯ add 9 is played at the 9th fret as × × 11 10 9 11: ring finger on the D string at fret 11, middle finger on the G string at fret 10, index finger on the B string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 11. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 11 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 10 | 2 | E♯ (3) |
| 2 (B) | 9 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 11 | 4 | D♯ (2) |
AdvancedThe pinky must stretch to the 11th fret on the high E while the index holds the 9th fret on the B string, a two-fret span.
C♯add9/E♯ inversion · fret 1
C♯ add 9 is played at the 1st fret as 1 × 1 1 2 1: barre your index finger across fret 1 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 2. The A string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1 | 1 (barre) | E♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 (barre) | D♯ (2) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 1 (barre) | E♯ (3) |
C♯add9/E♯ inversion · fret 8
C♯ add 9 is played at the 8th fret as × 8 × 8 9 9: index finger on the A string at fret 8, middle finger on the G string at fret 8, ring finger on the B string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 9. The low E and D strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 8 | 1 | E♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (G) | 8 | 2 | D♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 9 | 3 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 9 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
C♯add9/E♯ inversion · fret 11
C♯ add 9 is played at the 11th fret as 13 11 11 13 × 11: barre your index finger across fret 11, ring finger on the low E string at fret 13 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 13. The B string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 13 | 3 | E♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | 11 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 11 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 13 | 4 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | 11 | 1 (barre) | D♯ (2) |
C♯add9/E♯ inversion · fret 13
C♯ add 9 is played at the 13th fret as 13 × 13 13 14 13: barre your index finger across fret 13 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 14. The A string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 13 | 1 (barre) | E♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 13 | 1 (barre) | D♯ (2) |
| 3 (G) | 13 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | 14 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (e) | 13 | 1 (barre) | E♯ (3) |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ add 9 adds a major 2nd (D♯) to a C♯ major triad. The D♯ gives the chord a luminous, open quality. Compare it to C♯ major, which lacks the 9th.
What goes wrong with C♯ add 9?
- Letting the low E or A string ring out, adding notes outside the chord.
- Buzzing the D string because the ring finger is too far from the fret.
- Flattening the pinky so it mutes the high E string.
When to use it
C♯ add 9 is the tonic in C♯ major, fitting progressions like C♯–F♯–G♯–C♯ (I–IV–V–I). It suits bright jazz and fusion lines. Use it to replace C♯ major for a more colorful tonic.
Changing to and from C♯ add 9
- Move to C♯ major by lifting the pinky and keeping the other three fingers in place.
- Slide the shape down two frets to the 7th fret to play B add 9.
Which voicing to use
The 9th fret position keeps C♯ in the bass for a root-position sound. The C♯add9/F inversion at the 1st fret puts the major 3rd (E♯) in the bass, giving a darker, more compact voicing. The C♯add9/F inversion at the 13th fret is higher and brighter.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ add 9 written?
C♯ add 9 is written as C♯add9 or C♯. On a keyboard, use C#add9 or C#. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between C♯ add 9 and C♯ major 7th?
C♯ add 9 contains the 9th (D♯) but no 7th, while C♯ major 7th contains the major 7th (B♯) but no 9th. C♯ add 9 has a more open, suspended quality.
Can I play C♯ add 9 with a barre?
The default 9th fret shape uses no barre, but the C♯add9/F inversion at the 13th fret uses a barre at the 13th fret. That voicing is higher and requires more finger strength.