The short version
- C♯add9 is C sharp add nine, also written D♭add9. Its notes are C♯, E♯ (sounds as F), G♯ and D♯ (formula 1 – 3 – 5 – 9).
- Easiest way to play it: a barre on the 4th fret, frets x 4 6 8 6 4 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds bright, pretty and modern. Drop it in wherever you’d play the plain major chord. It works especially well on the I and IV chords.
- C♯add9 turns up in 6 keys: F♯ major (as the Vadd9), D♭ major (as the Iadd9), A♭ major (as the IVadd9), E♭ minor (as the VIIadd9) and B♭ minor (as the IIIadd9), and more in the table below.
- Can’t barre yet? Capo 1 and play an open Cadd9 shape.
How to play C♯add9 on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the barre chord, root on the 5th string (4th fret).
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 4, from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side.
- Put your middle finger on fret 6 of the 4th (D) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 6 of the 2nd (B) string.
- Put your little finger on fret 8 of the 3rd (G) string.
- Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
- Strum from the 5th (A) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other shape. Shape 2 is the barre chord, root on the 6th string (9th fret): 9 11 13 10 9 9. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
No barre? No problem. Pop a capo on the 1st fret and play the open Cadd9 shape: it comes out as C♯add9. (Capo 4 with an open Aadd9 shape works too.) Barre chords take everyone a few weeks. Mine sounded like a kettle for a month.
Notes in the C♯add9 chord
C♯add9 is built from 4 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still C♯add9.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| C♯ | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| E♯ (sounds as F) | 3 major third | Makes it major (happy). |
| G♯ | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
| D♯ | 9 ninth | Sparkle on top. |
What C♯add9 sounds like, and when to use it
A major chord with the ninth sprinkled on top, and no seventh. It does the same job as the major chord, only prettier. Acoustic pop’s favourite seasoning. Drop it in wherever you’d play the plain major chord. It works especially well on the I and IV chords.
What key is C♯add9 in?
C♯add9 turns up in 6 keys: F♯ major (as the Vadd9), D♭ major (as the Iadd9), A♭ major (as the IVadd9), E♭ minor (as the VIIadd9) and B♭ minor (as the IIIadd9), and more in the table below. Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| F♯ major | Vadd9 | C♯add9 |
| D♭ major | Iadd9 | D♭add9 |
| A♭ major | IVadd9 | D♭add9 |
| E♭ minor | VIIadd9 | D♭add9 |
| B♭ minor | IIIadd9 | D♭add9 |
| F minor | VIadd9 | D♭add9 |
Chords that go with C♯add9
Here’s a progression to try: C♯add9 – G♯ – A♯m – F♯add9 (Iadd9–V–vi–IVadd9), the four-chord song, with fairy lights.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using C♯add9 in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
Acoustic pop, 92 BPM, chord progression C♯add9 – G♯ – A♯m – F♯add9, sparkly add9 acoustic guitar chords, gentle piano, soft strings, warm duet vocals, romantic
C♯add9 chord FAQ
What notes are in the C#add9 chord?
C♯add9 has 4 notes: C♯ (the root), E♯ (sounds as F) (the major third), G♯ (the perfect fifth) and D♯ (the ninth). The chord formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – 9.
How do you play C#add9 on guitar?
The stretchy way is barre chord, root on the 5th string (4th fret). Strings from low E to high E: x 4 6 8 6 4 (x means don’t play that string). Lay your index finger flat across fret 4, from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side. Put your middle finger on fret 6 of the 4th (D) string. Put your ring finger on fret 6 of the 2nd (B) string. Put your little finger on fret 8 of the 3rd (G) string. Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
Is C#add9 the same as Dbadd9?
Yes. C♯add9 and D♭add9 are the same chord with the same fingering. They are just spelled differently. You’ll see C♯add9 in sharp keys and D♭add9 in flat keys.
What key is C#add9 in?
C♯add9 turns up in 6 keys: F♯ major (as the Vadd9), D♭ major (as the Iadd9), A♭ major (as the IVadd9), E♭ minor (as the VIIadd9) and B♭ minor (as the IIIadd9), and more in the table below. Major keys: F♯ major, D♭ major, A♭ major. Minor keys: E♭ minor, B♭ minor, F minor.
What is the difference between C#add9 and C#9?
C♯add9 is a major chord plus the ninth (D♯) with no seventh, so it stays sweet. C♯9 also has the flat seventh (B), which makes it bluesy and funky.
How can I play C#add9 without a barre?
Use a capo. Put it on the 1st fret and play the open Cadd9 shape or Put it on the 4th fret and play the open Aadd9 shape. It sounds as C♯add9. You can also play just the top three or four strings of the barre shape.
Other add9 chords
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