How to play

How to play the C#9 chord on guitar

Unleash the jazzy sound of Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" with this essential chord.

The C#9 chord

The C#9 chord, pronounced "C sharp dominant ninth," is a rich and complex chord that adds a sophisticated flavor to any musical composition. Notable for its jazzy and slightly dissonant sound, the C#9 is often used in genres like jazz, funk, and R&B. It can be heard in songs such as "Purple Rain" by Prince and "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder.

There are many ways to play a chord. Here's a diagram for the most common C#9 chord. We've also included other versions below.

C#9 guitar chord diagram

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Finger placement for C#9 chord

The C#9 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 4th fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a C#9 chord on your guitar:

  1. Barre your index finger across all six strings at the 4th fret.
  2. Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
  3. Place your ring finger on the 6th fret of the 5th (A) string.
  4. Place your pinky finger on the 6th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to strum down across all six strings in one smooth motion. Make sure to apply even pressure with your fretting hand to ensure all notes ring out clearly.

C#9 guitar chord with finger positions

How to play an easy C#9 chord on guitar

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the C#9 chord, try this:

  1. Place your index finger on the 4th fret of the 5th (A) string.
  2. Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the 4th (D) string.
  3. Strum only these two strings together.

This simplified version still captures the essence of the C#9 chord.

How to play a C#9 bar chord

The C#9 chord is most commonly played as an open chord, but playing it as a barre chord allows you to easily transpose the shape to other keys.

Here's how to play a C#9 barre chord:

  1. Barre your index finger across the 4th fret, covering all six strings.
  2. Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
  3. Place your ring finger on the 6th fret of the 5th (A) string.
  4. Place your pinky finger on the 6th fret of the 4th (D) string.
  5. Strum all six strings from low to high.

Common C#9 chord progressions

The C#9 chord is often used in jazz and neo-soul progressions, adding a sophisticated and dreamy feel to the harmony. Some common chord progressions featuring the C#9 chord include:

  • ii9 - V7 - I6 (C#9 - F#7 - Bmaj6)
  • I9 - vi7 - ii9 - V7 (C#9 - G#m7 - D#m9 - F#7)
  • iii9 - vi7 - ii9 - V7 (E9 - G#m7 - D#m9 - F#7)
  • ii9 - V7 - iii9 - vi7 (D#m9 - F#7 - E9 - G#m7)
  • I9 - IV9 - iii9 - vi7 (C#9 - F#9 - E9 - G#m7) Used in "Neo Soul Chord Progression" by Masego

Drills to master the C#9 chord

To master the C#9 chord, try playing each note individually, focusing on clean execution. Once comfortable, play the notes together as a chord, strumming or plucking. Repeat this exercise regularly to build muscle memory.

Another helpful drill is to practice transitioning to and from the C#9 chord. Choose a simple progression like C#9 to E to A, playing each chord for a few beats. As you become more confident, increase the tempo and experiment with different progressions to develop your agility and familiarity with the C#9 chord in various contexts.

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Songs that feature the C#9 chord

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the C#9 chord.

  1. Purple Rain by Prince (Chords: Bb, Eb/G, Ab, Db, C#9, Bbm, F)
  2. Maria Maria by Santana feat. The Product G&B (Chords: Am7, Dm9, C#9, B7#9)
  3. Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder (Chords: E, C#m7, F#7, A, B, G#7, C#7, F#m7, B7, G#7sus4, C#9)
  4. Waterfalls by TLC (Chords: C#m7, F#m7, A, B, G#7sus4, C#9)
  5. Baby, I Love Your Way by Peter Frampton (Chords: E, C#m7, A, B7, G#7sus4, C#9)
  6. Peg by Steely Dan (Chords: F, Dm7, Bb, C, Gm7, C#9, F#9, B9)
  7. Morning Dance by Spyro Gyra (Chords: Amaj7, F#m7, Bm7, E9, C#9, F#9, G#7sus4, C#m7)
  8. Lowdown by Boz Scaggs (Chords: Dm7, G7, Cm7, F7, Bbmaj7, Ebmaj7, C#9, F#9)
  9. Just the Two of Us by Grover Washington Jr. feat. Bill Withers (Chords: Bbmaj7, Gm7, Cm7, F7, Dm7, G7, C#9, F#9)
  10. Shining Star by Earth, Wind & Fire (Chords: Gmaj7, Em7, Am7, D7, Cmaj7, Bm7, E7, A7, C#9, F#9)

How a guitar teacher can help

If you feel stuck in your playing, it might help to take personalized guitar lessons with an expert guitarist. Taking lessons with a pro gives you access to the skills, feedback, and motivation to reach your goals.

You can find expert guitar teachers to support you in the journey. Thousands of people have turned to online guitar lessons on Til, instead of traditional in-person lessons, because Til gives you access to the best teachers in the world from the comfort of home. And with flexible scheduling, secure payments, lesson recordings, and a private chat with your teacher–there’s never been a better way to learn guitar.