C# or D♭ Add9
1st PositionA compact low-position C#add9 — index across the G and high e strings at fret 1, middle on D fret 3, ring on A fret 4, pinky on B fret 4. Mute the low E.
C# or D♭ Add9
9th FretCompact voicing on the top four strings — root (C#) on D fret 11, 3rd (F) on G fret 10, 5th (G#) on B fret 9, 9th (D#) on high e fret 11. A bright, moveable add9 shape.
C# or D♭ Add9
4th FretA-shape moveable add9 rooted on C# at fret 4 — barre fret 4 with the index, then reach D fret 6, G fret 8, and B fret 6. Fully moveable to any root. Mute the low E.
Spell it as D♭add9 in flat keys
In written music this chord often appears as D♭add9. The shapes and sound are identical — only the name changes with the key.
No open strings
C#add9 has no open-string voicing in standard tuning, so every shape is fretted. The compact x-4-3-1-4-1 form is the most accessible starting point.
Use the moveable A-shape
The x-4-6-8-6-4 barre is fully moveable — slide it down a fret for Cadd9 or up a fret for Dadd9.
Mute the low E cleanly
Most C#add9 voicings skip the low E. Let the side of your index finger rest against it to keep it quiet.
A bright major substitute
Anywhere a plain C# or D♭ major chord appears, C#add9 can replace it for a more open, modern colour — common in pop and worship.
About the C#add9 Chord on Guitar
The C#add9 chord is built from four notes: C# (the root), F/E# (the major 3rd), G# (the perfect 5th), and D# (the 9th). It is the C# major triad with an added 9th and no 7th — bright and open, with a shimmering colour that a plain major chord lacks. Because none of its notes match open guitar strings, every C#add9 voicing is fretted, making it good practice for moveable shapes. C#add9 is enharmonically identical to D♭add9 — same pitch, same shapes, different spelling depending on the key. This page covers three voicings, from a compact low form to a top-four-string shape and a moveable A-shape barre. Every diagram is interactive and playable with acoustic guitar sound.
- 013 C#add9 or D♭add9 chord shapes from intermediate to advanced
- 02Interactive diagrams — click Play to hear each chord
- 03Acoustic guitar sound via audio engine
- 04Compact low voicing, top-four-string form, and an A-shape moveable barre
- 05Difficulty rating on every shape
- 06Free — no sign-up or download needed
ANATOMY
Chord Tones
The 4 notes that form the C# or D♭ Add9 chord and their role in the major scale.
Every add9 chord follows this same formula — root, major third, perfect fifth, and the major 9th added on top (no 7th).