How to play the C#9 chord on guitar

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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)