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C♯ minor add 9 chord on ukulele (C♯madd9)
Also called or written C♯madd9, C♯m add9, C♯ or C♯ minor Add 9th
C♯ minor add 9 contains C♯, E, G♯, and D♯. The 4th fret voicing is a closed shape that works well in sharp 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 4th fret as 6 4 4 6: ring finger on the G string at fret 6, index finger on the C string at fret 4, middle 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) | 4 | 1 | E (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 4 | D♯ (2) |
AdvancedThe 4th fret voicing requires a stretch between the index finger on the 4th fret and the pinky on the 6th fret of the A string.
C♯m add9/G♯ inversion
C♯ minor add 9 is played at the 7th fret as 8 8 9 7: middle finger on the G string at fret 8, ring finger on the C string at fret 8, pinky finger on the E string at fret 9 and index finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 2 | D♯ (2) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 3 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 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, ringing quality. Compare it with C♯ minor, which lacks the 9th and sounds darker.
What goes wrong with C♯ minor add 9?
- Letting the pinky mute the E string, which removes the perfect 5th.
- Placing the middle finger too close to the index finger, causing the E string to buzz.
When to use it
C♯ minor add 9 is the vi chord in E major, appearing in progressions like E–B–C♯m–A (I–V–vi–IV). Its bright, ringing quality suits indie rock and pop. Use it in place of C♯ minor when you want a more open, 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 4th fret.
- Slide the shape up one fret to the 5th fret gives D minor add 9.
Which voicing to use
The 4th fret voicing keeps the root C♯ as the lowest note, giving a strong minor foundation. The C♯m add9/D♯ inversion places the 9th D♯ in the bass, creating a softer, more flowing sound that works well when moving to an E major chord.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ minor add 9 written?
C♯ minor add 9 is written as C♯m add9 or C♯ minor add 9. The ASCII root is C#. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Can C♯ minor add 9 be used in a funk progression?
Yes, C♯ minor add 9 works well as the i chord in a C♯ minor funk progression. The added 9th creates a sense of tension that resolves when moving to the iv or v chord.
Why does the 4th fret voicing sound muddy 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 4th fret.