Article
9th Chords on Guitar: Rich Voicings for Every Genre
Learn 9th chords on guitar - major 9th, minor 9th, dominant 9th, and add9. Shapes, theory, and how to use these lush chords in your playing.
C9 guitar shapes
Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions
Showing 8 of 23 playable shapes
About the chord
C9 guitar chord
The C9 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.
Root note: C
Quality: 9
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 23
Chord tones
CEGB♭D
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.
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