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C major add 9 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 120 playable shapes

About the chord

C major add 9 guitar chord

The C major add 9 major add 9 chord extends the major triad with an added ninth D, creating a bright, expansive harmony. Unlike the major 9 chord, it lacks the major seventh, offering a fresher, more open sound often used in pop, rock, and jazz for uplifting atmospheres.

Root note: C
Quality: major add 9
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 120

Chord tones

CEGD

Notes & Intervals

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

C Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

E Major Third 3

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

G Perfect Fifth 5

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

D Major Ninth 9

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

Related Articles

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