Chord chart for C♯9 / E♯ (1st inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

C♯9/E♯ guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 32 playable shapes

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C♯9 / E♯ (1st inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

C♯9 / E♯ (1st inversion)

C♯9/E♯ is the C♯9 / E♯ (1st inversion) guitar chord with E♯ in the bass. It uses the notes C♯, E♯, G♯, B, and D♯ and the interval formula 1-3-5-♭7-9.

The C♯9 dominant 9 chord enriches the dominant 7th by adding a major ninth D♯, enhancing its tension with a colorful, jazzy flair. This extended harmony adds sophistication, frequently used in jazz, blues, and funk for dynamic progressions. With E♯ in the bass, this voicing functions as the 1st inversion of C♯9.

Also written as C♯9 and C♯dom9/E♯.

Root note: C♯
Bass note: E♯
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 32

Chord tones

C♯E♯G♯BD♯

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape 121121

121121

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 6th string in barre position.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string.
  4. 4 Strum from the 6th string down.

Shape x89899

x89899

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string and 5th string in barre position.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 2nd string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string.
  5. 5 Strum from the 5th 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♯ 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.

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.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

C♯9/E♯ shape 121121

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C♯9/E♯ shape x89899

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

C♯9/E♯ shape dbbd0b

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 11th fret of the 4th string and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 11th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 13th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 13th fret of the 3rd string
  5. 5 Let the second string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C♯9/E♯ shape dbbdcb

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 11th fret of the 1st string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 12th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 13th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 13th fret of the 3rd string
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C♯9/E♯ shape dedded

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 13th fret of the 1st string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 14th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 14th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C♯9/E♯ shape 141401

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 6th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 5th string
  5. 5 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  6. 6 Let the second string ring open
  7. 7 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C♯9/E♯ shape 121421

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string, 4th string, and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C♯9/E♯ shape 141421

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string, 4th string, and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in C♯9/E♯?

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

What is another name for C♯9/E♯?

C♯9/E♯ is also written as C♯9 and C♯dom9/E♯.

How do you play C♯9/E♯ on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 6th string in barre position. Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string. Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string. Strum from the 6th string down.

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