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

Dmin9/C guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 89 playable shapes

Post WhatsApp Facebook Reddit
D minor 9 / C (3rd inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

D minor 9 / C (3rd inversion)

Dmin9/C is the D minor 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 minor 9 minor 9 chord combines the minor 7th with a major ninth E, producing a lush, moody atmosphere. The added ninth E softens the minor tonality with a dreamy, jazzy color, perfect for soulful ballads and expressive emotional landscapes. With C in the bass, this voicing functions as the 3rd inversion of D minor 9.

Also written as Dmin9 and Dm9/C.

Root note: D
Bass note: C
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 89

Chord tones

DFACE

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape x32231

x32231

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

Shape x33230

x33230

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 5th string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd 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 Minor Third ♭3

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

A Perfect Fifth 5

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

C Minor Seventh ♭7

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

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.

Dmin9/C shape x32231

How to play this shape

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

Dmin9/C shape x33230

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 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd 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

Dmin9/C shape x33530

How to play this shape

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

Dmin9/C shape 800760

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th 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

Dmin9/C shape 880760

How to play this shape

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

Dmin9/C shape 807760

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  5. 5 Let the fifth and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Dmin9/C shape 877760

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Let the first string ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Dmin9/C shape 887760

How to play this shape

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

Quick answers

What notes are in Dmin9/C?

Dmin9/C uses the notes D, F, A, C, and E. Its interval formula is 1-♭3-5-♭7-9.

What is another name for Dmin9/C?

Dmin9/C is also written as Dmin9 and Dm9/C.

How do you play Dmin9/C on guitar?

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

Related Articles

Articles that reference this chord and explain how to use it in your playing.