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C minor add 9 chord on ukulele (Cmadd9)
Also called or written Cmadd9, Cm add9, C or C minor Add 9th
C minor add 9 contains C, E♭, G, and D. The 3rd fret voicing is a closed shape that works well in flat keys.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9
How do you play a C minor add 9 chord on ukulele?
C minor add 9 is played at the 3rd fret as 5 3 3 5: ring finger on the G string at fret 5, index finger on the C string at fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 3 | C (1) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 1 | E♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (5) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 4 | D (2) |
AdvancedThe 3rd fret voicing requires a wide stretch between the index finger on the 3rd fret and the pinky on the 5th fret of the A string.
Cm add9/G inversion
C minor add 9 is played at the 6th fret as 7 7 8 6: middle finger on the G string at fret 7, ring finger on the C string at fret 7, pinky finger on the E string at fret 8 and index finger on the A string at fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 2 | D (2) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 3 | G (5) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 4 | C (1) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 1 | E♭ (♭3) |
Why it sounds like that
C minor add 9 is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9. The major 2nd interval between C and D is the 9th that gives the chord its suspended, airy quality. Compare it with C minor, which lacks the 9th and sounds darker.
What goes wrong with C minor add 9?
- Letting the pinky collapse and mute the E string, which kills the perfect 5th.
- Placing the index finger too far from the fret, causing the C string to buzz.
When to use it
C minor add 9 functions as the vi chord in E♭ major, appearing in progressions like E♭–B♭–Cm–A♭ (I–V–vi–IV). Its closed voicing suits jazz and neo-soul where a clean, sustained chord is needed. Use it in place of C minor for a more modern sound.
Changing to and from C minor add 9
- Move to C minor by lifting the pinky and ring fingers, leaving the index and middle fingers on the 3rd fret.
- Slide the shape up two frets to the 5th fret gives D minor add 9.
Which voicing to use
The 3rd fret voicing keeps the root C as the lowest note, providing a solid foundation. The Cm add9/D inversion places the 9th D in the bass, creating a lighter, more ambiguous sound that works well when moving to an E♭ major chord.
Other C chords
Common questions
How does C minor add 9 differ from C minor 9th?
C minor add 9 omits the 7th degree, so it contains only the root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th, and 9th. C minor 9th includes the minor 7th as well, giving it a more complex, jazzy sound.
Can C minor add 9 be used in a ballad?
Yes, C minor add 9 works well in slow ballads. The added 9th creates a sense of longing that resolves nicely when the chord changes to the iv or v.
Why does the 3rd fret voicing sound out of tune on some ukuleles?
The close voicing of the upper notes can cause the 9th to clash with the minor 3rd if the intonation is off. Check that the C string is fretted cleanly at the 3rd fret.