C#add9 Guitar Chord

C#add9 is the C sharp added ninth chord. It has four notes: C♯, F, G♯ and D♯, with the third written as F rather than E sharp, the way charts print it. The standard shape sits right at the nut, frets 1 to 4 on the middle four strings, with no barre.

The root sits on the A string at the 4th fret and the index reaches back to the 1st fret of the G string, so the grip spans the first four frets of the middle strings.

How to play C#add9, step by step

Index finger: 1st fret, G string
Middle finger: 3rd fret, D string
Ring finger: 4th fret, A string
Pinky finger: 4th fret, B string
Strum only the A and D and G and B strings, and stop the downstroke at the B.

The shape has no open strings, so it moves: two frets up the same fingers play Ebadd9, and the second voicing on this page is the same chord with the root on the D string instead.

More ways to play C#add9

There are 2 common C#add9 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

C#add9 guitar chord diagram, compact, frets 9 to 11, played x x 11 10 9 11 — Compact, frets 9 to 11

If it buzzes or sounds wrong

The high E string rings by accident: It is not part of the shape. Stop the downstroke at the B string, or let the pad of the pinky rest lightly against the high E to keep it quiet.
The low E rumbles in: Start the strum at the A string. The tip of the ring finger, which holds the root there, can touch the low E lightly to mute it.
The index note gets buried: The index holds the 1st fret of the G string underneath three higher fingers. Keep it curled and pressing straight down, or the fifth of the chord goes missing.

What makes it a C#add9

C♯ · F · G♯ · D♯ 1 3 5 9

C#add9 is a C sharp major triad (C♯, F, G♯) with a D sharp added, the ninth. Strictly the third of C sharp is E sharp, but charts write the same pitch as F and this page does too. With the third present the chord stays major; the ninth just adds air.

It does the jobs plain C sharp does: the I chord in C sharp, the IV chord in G sharp, the V chord in F sharp. Written as Dbadd9 the same chord is the IV of A flat, a common piano and worship key.

C#add9 vs C#sus2

Both chords add a D sharp to C sharp, but C#sus2 removes the third to make room for it, while C#add9 keeps the third and stacks the D sharp on top. One is clearly major with extra shimmer, the other floats and wants to resolve.

The add9 also wins on comfort here: the standard shape needs no barre, while C#sus2 leans on one.

C#add9 chord questions

Is C#add9 the same as Dbadd9?

Yes, one chord with two names. Sharp key charts write C#add9 and flat key charts write Dbadd9; the shape and sound are identical.

Why does the chart say F instead of E#?

They are the same pitch. Strict spelling calls the third of C sharp E sharp, but almost every chart prints F because that is the name players read fastest. This site teaches shapes, so it follows the charts.

What is the difference between C#add9 and C#9?

C#9 also contains a B, the flat seventh, which makes it a dominant chord. C#add9 adds only the D sharp and stays a bright major chord.

What is the difference between C#add9 and C#sus2?

Both contain a D sharp, but C#sus2 removes the third and floats, while C#add9 keeps the third and still sounds fully major.

Is C#add9 hard to play?

No harder than the other movable add9 grips: four fingers, four strings, no barre. The four fret span at the nut is the only stretch.