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C♯m9 Chord on Guitar

C♯m9 is the C♯ minor 9th chord — 5 notes (C♯, E, G♯, B, D♯) built from the formula 1 ♭3 5 ♭7 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♯ · B · D♯Formula: 1 · ♭3 · 5 · ♭7 · 9Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

C♯m9: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • C♯m9 – open position×R95♭7♭3open position
  • C♯m9 – fret 2×R♭3♭79×fret 2
  • C♯m9 – fret 99R5♭7♭359fret 9

C♯m9: Shell voicings (jazz)

  • C♯m9 – R-3-77R♭3♭7×××R-3-7
  • C♯m9 – R-3-7×R♭3♭7××R-3-7
  • C♯m9 – R-7-39R×♭7♭3××R-7-3
  • C♯m9 – R-7-3×R×♭7♭3×R-7-3

Keys that contain C♯m9

Scales to play over C♯m9

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

Other C♯ chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Minor 9th chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the C♯m9 chord?
C♯m9 (C♯ minor 9th) contains C♯, E, G♯, B, D♯ — formula 1 ♭3 5 ♭7 9.
How do you play C♯m9 on guitar?
A common shape is x41100 (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♯m9?
Good choices to solo over C♯m9: C♯ Dorian, C♯ Aeolian (Minor), C♯ Dorian ♯4.
What key is C♯m9 in?
C♯m9 is diatonic in E major (vi9), B major (ii9), C♯ minor (i9), G♯ minor (iv9).