C♯m(add9) Chord on Guitar

C♯m(add9) is the C♯ minor add 9 chord — 4 notes (C♯, E, G♯, D♯) built from the formula 1 ♭3 5 9. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: C♯ · E · G♯ · D♯Formula: 1 · ♭3 · 5 · 9Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

C♯m(add9): Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • C♯m(add9) – open position×R95R♭3open position
  • C♯m(add9) – fret 1×R♭359×fret 1
  • C♯m(add9) – fret 66R95♭35×fret 6
  • C♯m(add9) – fret 99R5R♭359fret 9

C♯m(add9): Drop 2 voicings

  • C♯m(add9) – bass: 99××9♭35Rbass: 9
  • C♯m(add9) – bass: R9R59♭3××bass: R
  • C♯m(add9) – bass: R4×R59♭3×bass: R

Keys that contain C♯m(add9)

Scales to play over C♯m(add9)

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain C♯, E, G♯, D♯.

Other C♯ chords

Minor add 9 chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the C♯m(add9) chord?
C♯m(add9) (C♯ minor add 9) contains C♯, E, G♯, D♯ — formula 1 ♭3 5 9.
How do you play C♯m(add9) on guitar?
A common shape is x41120 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with C♯m(add9)?
Good choices to solo over C♯m(add9): C♯ Aeolian (Minor), C♯ Dorian, C♯ Melodic minor.
What key is C♯m(add9) in?
C♯m(add9) is diatonic in E major (viadd9), B major (iiadd9), C♯ minor (iadd9), G♯ minor (ivadd9).