About the C♯7♭9 chord
The 7♭9 is a dominant seventh with a flattened ninth. It is tense and dark, and usually resolves to a minor chord a fourth above. Jazz and flamenco use it constantly. The symbol for it is C♯7♭9. (also written D♭7♭9)
How to play C♯7♭9
- Lay your index finger flat across the top 4 strings at fret 3, pressing just behind the fret.
- Put your middle finger on the A string at fret 4.
- Put your ring finger on the G string at fret 4.
- Put your little finger on the high E string at fret 4.
- Strum and don't play the low E string.
1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 little
Chords in the key of C♯ major
These are the chords built on each note of the C♯ major scale, so they all sound good together with C♯7♭9. The Roman numeral under each one is its position in the key.
Other C♯ chords
C♯7♭9 chord questions
What notes are in a C♯7♭9 chord?
C♯7♭9 is made of C♯, E♯, G♯, B and D. In intervals that is 1, 3, 5, ♭7, ♭9 above the root, C♯.
What is the easiest way to play C♯7♭9?
The first shape above is the most common one: x 4 3 4 3 4 from the low E string to the high E, where x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. Start there, and try the other shapes once it feels comfortable.
Is C♯7♭9 a barre chord?
The main shape uses a barre, where one finger holds down several strings at once. Press just behind the fret and roll the finger slightly onto its side.