C Dominant 9th
C9
Notes
C · E · G · B♭ · D
Intervals
- RootC (1P)
- Major 3rdE (3M)
- Perfect 5thG (5P)
- Minor 7thB♭ (7m)
- Major 9thD (9M)
Fretboard
Adjust labels, frets, and palette in the interactive view.
Voicings & shapes
Rootless voicings (A / B form) (4)
About
The C9 dominant ninth (C–E–G–B♭–D) extends a dominant 7 with a ninth. The D adds brightness and harmonic richness without affecting the chord’s dominant function — the tritone between E and B♭ is still present and still drives resolution to F. The 3rd and ♭7 remain essential; the 5th is routinely dropped on guitar to make room for the 9th without creating a muddy cluster. Common in funk, jazz, and blues as a more colorful version of the dominant 7. Compared to C7, the 9th adds shimmer and modernity; the resolution tendency is identical.
Chord diagrams
C Dominant 9th voicing charts — tap a sheet to open it full size to save or print.
Similar chords
Chords sharing two or more notes with this one, ranked by overlap.
Scales containing this chord
- C Mixolydian (I)
- A Phrygian (III)
- B♭ Lydian (II)
- D Natural Minor (VII)
- E Locrian (VI)
- F Major (V)
- F Melodic Minor (V)
- G Dorian (IV)
- G Melodic Minor (IV)
Scales whose notes include every chord tone. The Roman numeral (or scale degree) marks the chord root’s position in the scale.