B9/C♯ guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 59 playable shapes

About the chord

B9 / C♯ (4th inversion)

B9/C♯ is the B9 / C♯ (4th inversion) guitar chord with C♯ in the bass. It uses the notes B, D♯, F♯, A, and C♯ and the interval formula 1-3-5-♭7-9.

The B9 dominant 9 chord enriches the dominant 7th by adding a major ninth C♯, enhancing its tension with a colorful, jazzy flair. This extended harmony adds sophistication, frequently used in jazz, blues, and funk for dynamic progressions. With C♯ in the bass, this voicing functions as the 4th inversion of B9.

Also written as B9 and Bdom9/C♯.

Root note: B

Bass note: C♯

Chord tones: 5

Playable shapes: 59

Chord tones

BD♯F♯AC♯

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape 1

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1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position.
2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string.
3 Strum from the 5th string down.

Shape 2

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1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string, 2nd string, and 4th string in barre position.
2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string.
3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 6th string.
4 Strum from the 6th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

B Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

D♯ Major Third 3

This note defines the chord's major quality and brings brightness to the sound.

F♯ Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

A Minor Seventh ♭7

The minor seventh adds bluesy or jazzy tension that wants to move onward.

C♯ Major Ninth 9

The ninth opens the chord up and adds a modern, spacious color.

Quick answers

What notes are in B9/C♯?

B9/C♯ uses the notes B, D♯, F♯, A, and C♯. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-♭7-9.

What is another name for B9/C♯?

B9/C♯ is also written as B9 and Bdom9/C♯.

How do you play B9/C♯ on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position. Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 1st string. Strum from the 5th string down.

Articles that reference this chord and explain how to use it in your playing.

Article Mar 4, 2025