Explore chords · Ukulele
C♯ add 9 chord on ukulele (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 4th-fret voicing requires a wide stretch across all four strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 9
How do you play a C♯ add 9 chord on ukulele?
C♯ add 9 is played at the 4th fret as 6 5 4 6: ring finger on the G string at fret 6, middle finger on the C string at fret 5, index finger on the E string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | E♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 4 | D♯ (2) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach the A string at fret 6 while the ring finger holds the G string at the same fret, stretching the hand.
C♯add9/G♯ inversion
C♯ add 9 is played at the 8th fret as 8 8 9 8: index finger on the G string at fret 8, middle finger on the C string at fret 8, pinky finger on the E string at fret 9 and ring finger on the A string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 1 | D♯ (2) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 3 | E♯ (3) |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ add 9 uses the formula 1, 3, 5, 9. The major 2nd between C♯ and D♯ adds a bright suspension to the major triad. Compare C♯ add 9 with C♯ major, which omits the 9th for a plainer sound.
What goes wrong with C♯ add 9?
- The pinky collapses and mutes the A string, losing the root.
- The index finger on the E string leans back and deadens the C string.
- The ring finger on the G string buzzes because it is not perpendicular to the fretboard.
When to use it
C♯ add 9 acts as the tonic in C♯ major, fitting the I–IV–V–I progression C♯–F♯–G♯–C♯. Its bright, ringing quality suits jazz and fusion. Use C♯ add 9 to replace C♯ major for a more expansive sound.
Changing to and from C♯ add 9
- From C♯ add 9 to C add 9, slide the entire shape down one fret to the 3rd fret.
- From C♯ add 9 to D add 9, slide the entire shape up one fret to the 5th fret.
Which voicing to use
The 4th-fret voicing keeps the root C♯ on the G string and is the standard shape. The C♯add9/E♭ inversion at the 8th fret puts the 9th in the bass, creating a floating, unresolved sound that works well before a resolution to C♯ major.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ add 9 written?
C♯ add 9 is written as C♯add9 or C♯ add 9. The ASCII root is C#, so C#add9 is also used. 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. C♯ major 7th contains the 7th (B♯) but no 9th. The add 9 has a more open, suspended quality.
Can C♯ add 9 be played with a barre?
The 4th-fret voicing uses individual fingers, not a barre. The C♯add9/E♭ inversion at the 8th fret also uses individual fingers. No barre is required.