C9 Guitar Chord (C Dominant Ninth)
Welcome to our tutorial on the C 9 chord, a rich and complex chord that belongs to the family of Dominant Chords. This chord is composed of the notes C, E, G, Bb, and D, and is built using the intervals 1 (Root), 3 (Major Third), 5 (Perfect Fifth), b7 (Minor Seventh), and 9 (Major Ninth).
Understanding the composition of this chord is crucial, and to help you with this, we recommend our detailed tutorial about guitar chords which provides a comprehensive overview of all types of guitar chords, as well as our specific tutorial about dominant (7) guitar chords.
Learning how to play the C 9 chord involves understanding fretboard patterns and how the tones that compose the chord are laid out on the fretboard. To help you visualize this, we offer a tutorial that teaches how to build chords by stacking intervals, and a tutorial about fretboard intervals.
Once you've mastered the C 9 chord, you'll be able to incorporate it into a variety of musical genres, including jazz, blues, and rock. For more advanced learning, check out our tutorial about more advanced chords and our tutorial about jazz chord progressions, which often use the maj7, m7, and 7 chord types.
Remember, practice makes perfect, so take your time learning this chord and soon you'll be able to play it with ease. Happy strumming!
C 9 chord Notes:
Tones in the Dominant Ninth chord:
Interactive Fretboard
See how to play the C9 across the whole fretboard:
C Dominant Ninth Guitar Chord Voicings
Chord boxes are sorted from the easiest to the hardest. Learn how to read chord diagrams.
If you have difficulties with bar chord shapes, check the Bar Chords Tips tutorial.
You can also use this accessible chords page with written diagrams instruction.
Position 1
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Position 2
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Position 3
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Position 4
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Position 5
Barre
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Position 6
Barre
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Position 7
Barre
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Position 8
Barre
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Position 9
Barre
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You can find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you
prefer a printable pdf, download
the Free Guitar Chords Chart Pdf
FAQ
What are the specific notes that make up a C9 chord?
The C9 chord is composed of five distinct notes: C (the Root), E (Major Third), G (Perfect Fifth), Bb (Minor Seventh), and D (Major Ninth). These intervals are stacked to create its unique sound and define its harmonic structure.
What defines the C9 chord as a 'dominant chord'?
The C9 chord is classified as a dominant chord primarily because it contains a minor seventh interval (Bb in this case) above the root. This minor seventh, combined with the major third, creates the characteristic harmonic tension that is central to all dominant chords.
How is the '9' interval in the C9 chord derived?
The '9' in the C9 chord refers to the Major Ninth interval. This note is the major second of the root played an octave higher. For a C root, the major second is D, so the ninth interval is D. This added note contributes significantly to the chord's 'rich and complex' sound.
Why does the C9 chord sound 'rich and complex'?
The C9 chord sounds rich and complex because it includes five notes, featuring both the minor seventh (Bb) and the major ninth (D) in addition to the basic major triad. These added intervals introduce a sophisticated harmonic tension and color that gives the chord its distinctive full and intricate quality.
What is the main difference between a C7 and a C9 chord?
The main difference between a C7 and a C9 chord is the presence of the ninth interval. A C7 chord consists of the root, major third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh (C, E, G, Bb). The C9 chord builds upon this by adding the major ninth (D) to the existing C7 structure, making it a five-note chord.
In which musical genres is the C9 chord commonly used?
The C9 chord is a versatile and expressive chord that is commonly used across a variety of musical genres. It is particularly prevalent and highly characteristic in jazz, blues, and rock music, where its distinctive sound adds harmonic depth and flavor.