Chord chart for D9 / C (3rd inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

D9/C guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 61 playable shapes

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D9 / C (3rd inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

D9 / C (3rd inversion)

D9/C is the D9 / 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 D9 dominant 9 chord enriches the dominant 7th by adding a major ninth E, enhancing its tension with a colorful, jazzy flair. This extended harmony adds sophistication, frequently used in jazz, blues, and funk for dynamic progressions. With C in the bass, this voicing functions as the 3rd inversion of D9.

Also written as D9 and Ddom9/C.

Root note: D
Bass note: C
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 61

Chord tones

DF♯ACE

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape x32232

x32232

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

Shape x34530

x34530

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

D9/C shape x32232

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 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth string
  5. 5 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

D9/C shape x34530

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

D9/C shape 800770

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 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

D9/C shape 870770

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 8th 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

D9/C shape 807770

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 2nd finger on the 8th 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

D9/C shape 877770

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 2nd finger on the 8th 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

D9/C shape 877778

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 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

D9/C shape 897770

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

Quick answers

What notes are in D9/C?

D9/C uses the notes D, F♯, A, C, and E. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-♭7-9.

What is another name for D9/C?

D9/C is also written as D9 and Ddom9/C.

How do you play D9/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 5th string. Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string. Strum from the 5th string down.

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