root position: C#9
C♯ – E♯ – G♯ – B – D♯
C#9 Piano Chord
The C sharp dominant 9 chord (C♯9) is made of the notes C♯, E♯, G♯, B and D♯. Its formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – ♭7 – 9.
Notes in C♯9
| Note | Formula | Interval from root |
|---|---|---|
| C♯ | 1 | root |
| E♯ | 3 | major 3rd |
| G♯ | 5 | perfect 5th |
| B | ♭7 | minor 7th |
| D♯ | 9 | major 9th |
How to play C♯9 on piano
- Right hand: fingers 1-2-3-4-5
- Left hand: fingers 5-4-3-2-1
Fingers are numbered from the thumb (1) to the little finger (5).
This chord spans more than an octave. Many players leave out the 5th, or play the root in the left hand and the other notes in the right.
C♯9 inversions
1st inversion: C#9/E#
E♯ – G♯ – B – C♯ – D♯
2nd inversion: C#9/G#
G♯ – B – C♯ – D♯ – E♯
3rd inversion: C#9/B
B – C♯ – D♯ – E♯ – G♯
Other names for C#9
C♯9 is also written as C♯9, C#dom9, C♯dom9, Db9, D♭9, Dbdom9, D♭dom9.
Keys that contain C♯9
C♯9 is not one of the basic chords of any major or minor key. It is usually used as a passing or colour chord.