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Chord chart for Cm9 Guitar Chord (C minor 9): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

C minor 9 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 30 playable shapes

C minor 9 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions
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About the chord

C minor 9 guitar chord

Cm9 is the C minor 9 guitar chord. It uses the notes C, E♭, G, B♭, and D and the interval formula 1-♭3-5-♭7-9.

The C minor 9 minor 9 chord combines the minor 7th with a major ninth D, producing a lush, moody atmosphere. The added ninth D softens the minor tonality with a dreamy, jazzy color, perfect for soulful ballads and expressive emotional landscapes.

Also written as Cmin9.

Root note: C
Quality: minor 9
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 30

Chord tones

CE♭GB♭D

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

Shape 2

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  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 1st string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string.
  5. 5 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.

C Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

E♭ Minor Third ♭3

This note supplies the minor color and gives the chord its darker emotional pull.

G Perfect Fifth 5

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

B♭ Minor Seventh ♭7

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

D Major Ninth 9

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

Quick answers

What notes are in Cm9?

Cm9 uses the notes C, E♭, G, B♭, and D. Its interval formula is 1-♭3-5-♭7-9.

What is another name for Cm9?

Cm9 is also written as Cmin9.

How do you play Cm9 on guitar?

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

Related Articles

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