Chord chart for C9 / E (1st inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

C9/E guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 180 playable shapes

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C9 / E (1st inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

C9 / E (1st inversion)

C9/E is the C9 / 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 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. With E in the bass, this voicing functions as the 1st inversion of C9.

Also written as C9 and Cdom9/E.

Root note: C
Bass note: E
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 180

Chord tones

CEGB♭D

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape 010010

010010

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string.
  3. 3 Let the sixth, fourth, third, and first strings ring open.
  4. 4 Strum from the 6th string down.

Shape 010310

010310

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string.
  4. 4 Let the sixth, fourth, and first strings ring open.
  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 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.

C9/E shape 010010

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Let the sixth, fourth, third, and first strings ring open
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C9/E shape 010310

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the sixth, fourth, and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C9/E shape 030310

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the sixth, fourth, and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C9/E shape 030330

How to play this shape

  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 2nd string and 3rd string in barre position
  3. 3 Let the sixth, fourth, and first strings ring open
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C9/E shape 032330

How to play this shape

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

C9/E shape 010013

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Let the sixth, fourth, and third strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C9/E shape 010313

How to play this shape

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

C9/E shape 030313

How to play this shape

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

Quick answers

What notes are in C9/E?

C9/E uses the notes C, E, G, B♭, and D. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-♭7-9.

What is another name for C9/E?

C9/E is also written as C9 and Cdom9/E.

How do you play C9/E on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 5th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string. Let the sixth, fourth, third, and first strings ring open. Strum from the 6th string down.

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