Chord chart for D major 9 / C♯ (3rd inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

Dmaj9/C♯ guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 95 playable shapes

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D major 9 / C♯ (3rd inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

D major 9 / C♯ (3rd inversion)

Dmaj9/C♯ is the D major 9 / C♯ (3rd inversion) guitar chord with C♯ in the bass. It uses the notes D, F♯, A, C♯, and E and the interval formula 1-3-5-7-9.

The D major 9 major 9 chord adds a major ninth E to the major 7th, creating an expansive, ethereal sound. Its rich harmonic structure enhances the major tonality with a modern, sophisticated vibe, ideal for jazz, ambient, and cinematic music. With C♯ in the bass, this voicing functions as the 3rd inversion of D major 9.

Also written as Dmaj9 and DM9/C♯.

Root note: D
Bass note: C♯
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 95

Chord tones

DF♯AC♯E

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape x42232

x42232

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

Shape x44230

x44230

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd 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 4th string.
  5. 5 Let the first string ring open.
  6. 6 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.

D Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

F♯ Major Third 3

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

A Perfect Fifth 5

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

C♯ Major Seventh 7

The major seventh adds a smooth, lush tension close to the root.

E 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.

Dmaj9/C♯ shape x42232

How to play this shape

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

Dmaj9/C♯ shape x44230

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd 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 4th string
  5. 5 Let the first string ring open
  6. 6 Do not play the sixth string
  7. 7 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

Dmaj9/C♯ shape 977770

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Let the first string ring open
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Dmaj9/C♯ shape 907770

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Let the fifth and first strings ring open
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Dmaj9/C♯ shape 997770

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string, 3rd string, and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Let the first string ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Dmaj9/C♯ shape 970770

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string and 3rd string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Let the fourth and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Dmaj9/C♯ shape 900770

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Let the fifth, fourth, and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Dmaj9/C♯ shape 990770

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 5th string
  5. 5 Let the fourth and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in Dmaj9/C♯?

Dmaj9/C♯ uses the notes D, F♯, A, C♯, and E. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-7-9.

What is another name for Dmaj9/C♯?

Dmaj9/C♯ is also written as Dmaj9 and DM9/C♯.

How do you play Dmaj9/C♯ on guitar?

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

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