C 9 Guitar Chord: How to Play It and Common Variations

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Written By Gary Daws

Chief Music Officer

The C9 guitar chord is a popular chord used in various genres of music, including jazz, funk, and blues. It is a dominant 7 chord with the ninth note added, and it contains the notes C, E, G, Bb, and D. The ninth note of the C major scale is the same as the second note, but it is referred to as a 9 to indicate that the chord is a dominant 7 chord with a 9 included.

The C9 chord can be played in various positions on the guitar, and it is important to learn the correct finger positions to play it correctly. There are different versions of the C9 chord, and each version has its own finger positions. The chord can be played from the third fret position, and it contains open notes as well.

If you are a beginner guitarist, it is important to learn the C9 chord as it is a fundamental chord used in many songs. Once you have mastered the C9 chord, you can use it to play various songs in different genres. In this article, we will discuss the different finger positions, variations, and diagrams of the C9 chord to help you master it.

What is the C 9 Guitar Chord?

The C 9 guitar chord is a popular chord used in Jazz, Funk, and Blues. It is an extended chord that is created by adding the major 9th to a dominant 7th chord. The C 9 chord contains the notes C, E, G, Bb, and D, and is produced by taking the 1 (root), 3, 5, b7, and 9 of the C Major scale.

The 9th note of the scale (D) is the same as the 2nd note, but we refer to it as a 9, as this implies that the chord is a dominant 7 chord (1, 3, 5, 7) with a 9 included. The C 9 chord has a very bluesy, jazzy, and funky sound to it.

To play the C 9 chord on the guitar, you need to place your fingers on the correct frets. Here is a table that shows the finger positions for the C 9 chord:

Finger Fret Note
1 3 E
2 3 Bb
3 3 D
4 3 G
5 3 C

The C 9 chord is a versatile chord that can be used in a variety of musical contexts. It can be used as a substitute for the C7 chord, and can also be used in chord progressions such as the ii-V-I progression. The C 9 chord can also be used in funk and blues music to add a jazzy and soulful sound to your playing.

In conclusion, the C 9 guitar chord is a popular and versatile chord that is used in a variety of musical genres. It is an extended chord that is created by adding the major 9th to a dominant 7th chord, and has a very bluesy, jazzy, and funky sound to it.

How to Play the C9 Guitar Chord

The C9 chord is a popular chord in various genres of music, including rock and jazz. It is an extended chord of the C major chord, with an added 9th note. In this section, we will guide you on how to play the C9 guitar chord.

Chord Diagrams and Voicings

To play the C9 chord, you need to place your fingers on specific frets and strings. Here are some chord diagrams and voicings to help you play the C9 chord:

  • C9 chord diagram 1: Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the G string, and your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string. Do not play the 6th and 1st strings.
  • C9 chord diagram 2: Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the G string, your middle finger on the 4th fret of the B string, and your index finger on the 3rd fret of the high E string. Do not play the 6th, 5th, and 1st strings.
  • C9 chord diagram 3: Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the low E string, your middle finger on the 7th fret of the D string, your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the G string, and your index finger on the 5th fret of the high E string. Do not play the 6th and 1st strings.

Practice and Skill

Playing the C9 chord requires practice and skill. Start by placing your fingers on the frets and strings as shown in the chord diagrams. Strum the strings with your pick or fingers to play the chord. Ensure that each note sounds clear and distinct.

Chord Progressions and Theory

The C9 chord can be used in various chord progressions, especially in jazz music. For instance, you can substitute the C7 chord with the C9 chord in a Gm7 – C7 chord progression. This substitution adds a jazzy sound to the progression.

Charts and Root Note

The C9 chord is a movable chord, which means you can play it on different frets to get different root notes. For example, if you play the C9 chord on the 8th fret, the root note will be C#. You can use chord charts to help you find the C9 chord on different frets.

Jazzy and Added 9

The C9 chord has a jazzy sound due to the added 9th note. The added 9th note is the second note of the C major scale, which is D. This note adds a unique flavor to the chord.

In conclusion, the C9 chord is an essential chord for any guitar player, especially those who play rock and jazz. With the chord diagrams, practice, and theory provided in this guide, you can play the C9 chord with ease and add it to your chord progressions.

C 9 Guitar Chord Variations

The C9 guitar chord is a dominant chord that includes the notes C, E, G, Bb, and D. It is widely used in jazz, funk, and blues music. In this section, we will explore some variations of the C9 chord.

C Dominant Ninth (C9)

The C Dominant Ninth (C9) chord is the basic form of the C9 chord. It consists of the Root (C), Major Third (E), Perfect Fifth (G), Minor Seventh (Bb), and Major Ninth (D). This chord can be played in different positions on the guitar fretboard.

Inversions

Inversions are a way of playing the C9 chord in a different order of notes. The first inversion of the C9 chord involves playing the Major Third (E) as the lowest note. The second inversion involves playing the Perfect Fifth (G) as the lowest note. The third inversion involves playing the Minor Seventh (Bb) as the lowest note.

Muting

Muting is a technique used to dampen unwanted strings while playing the C9 chord. This technique involves using the fretting hand to lightly touch the strings that are not supposed to be played. This helps to produce a cleaner sound.

Strumming

Strumming is a technique used to play the C9 chord by sweeping the fingers across the strings. This technique can be used to create different rhythms and grooves.

Other Variations

Other variations of the C9 chord include the C Dom9 and C9sus4 chords. The C Dom9 chord is similar to the C9 chord, but it includes a flat 7th (Bb) instead of a minor 7th (B). The C9sus4 chord includes a suspended 4th (F) instead of a Major 3rd (E).

In summary, the C9 guitar chord is a versatile chord that can be played in different positions and variations. By using inversions, muting, and strumming techniques, you can create different sounds and grooves.

Songs Using the C 9 Guitar Chord

The C 9 guitar chord is a beautiful chord that can be used in various genres of music, including pop, jazz, blues, and funk. It adds a unique flavor to any chord progression and can make a song sound more interesting and dynamic.

Here are a few songs that use the C 9 guitar chord:

  • “I Shot the Sheriff” by Bob Marley: This classic reggae tune has a funky guitar riff that uses the C 9 chord.
  • “Cissy Strut” by The Meters: This instrumental funk track features a catchy guitar riff that uses the C 9 chord.
  • “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye: This soulful ballad uses the C 9 chord in the chorus, adding a jazzy feel to the song.
  • “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder: This funk classic uses the C 9 chord in the iconic guitar riff that opens the song.
  • “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles: This jazz standard features the C 9 chord in the chord progression, adding a bluesy feel to the song.

As you can see, the C 9 guitar chord can be used in a variety of genres and can add a unique flavor to any song. Try incorporating it into your own chord progressions and see how it can enhance the sound of your music.

C 9 Guitar Chord Charts

The C 9 guitar chord is a dominant 7th chord with an added 9th note. It is a popular chord used in jazz, funk, and blues music. Here are some C 9 guitar chord charts in standard tuning:

Open Position C 9 Chord

|—|—|—|—|—|—|
| – | – | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |

This open position C 9 chord is played by placing your third finger on the third fret of the A string, your second finger on the second fret of the D string, and your first finger on the first fret of the B string.

3rd Fret C 9 Chord

|—|—|—|—|—|—|
| – | – | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 |

This 3rd fret C 9 chord is played by placing your fourth finger on the sixth fret of the G string, your third finger on the fifth fret of the B string, and your second finger on the fifth fret of the high E string.

Chord Library and Chord Finder

If you’re looking for more C 9 guitar chord charts, you can check out a chord library or chord finder online. These resources can provide you with a wide variety of chord charts in different positions and tunings.

Scales and 9th Note

The 9th note of the scale (D) is the same as the 2nd note, but we refer to it as a 9, as this implies that the chord is a dominant 7 chord (1, 3, 5, 7) with a 9 included. This makes the C 9 chord a great chord to use when playing in the key of C major or C minor.

Overall, the C 9 guitar chord is a versatile and useful chord to add to your repertoire. With these chord charts and resources, you can easily incorporate it into your playing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to play C 9 chord?

To play the C 9 chord, you need to place your index finger on the third fret of the A string, your middle finger on the fourth fret of the D string, your ring finger on the third fret of the G string, and your little finger on the third fret of the B string.

C 9 chord finger position?

The finger position for the C 9 chord is as follows: index finger on the third fret of the A string, middle finger on the fourth fret of the D string, ring finger on the third fret of the G string, and little finger on the third fret of the B string.

What are the notes in C 9 chord?

The notes in the C 9 chord are C, E, G, Bb, and D.

C 9 chord alternative positions?

There are several alternative positions for the C 9 chord. One variation starts on the third fret, with the index finger on the third fret of the A string, the middle finger on the third fret of the D string, the ring finger on the fourth fret of the G string, and the little finger on the fifth fret of the B string. Another variation starts on the eighth fret, with the index finger on the eighth fret of the E string, the middle finger on the ninth fret of the D string, the ring finger on the eighth fret of the G string, and the little finger on the tenth fret of the B string.

How to use C 9 chord in a song?

The C 9 chord can be used in a variety of musical genres, including jazz, blues, funk, and rock. It is often used as a substitute for the C7 chord, as it adds a jazzy sound to chord progressions. Try playing the C9 chord after the C chord to hear the extra punch that the ninth note delivers.

What is the fingering for C 9 chord?

The fingering for the C 9 chord is as follows: index finger on the third fret of the A string, middle finger on the fourth fret of the D string, ring finger on the third fret of the G string, and little finger on the third fret of the B string.