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C♯ Add 9

Also known as D♭ Add 9
Same keys, different spelling.
Open D♭ Add 9 →Same chord, spelled with flatsWhat are enharmonics? →Why one chord has two names
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Listen plays the chord. Play Along lights up each note in order so you can follow.

C♯add9
C♯ – E♯ – G♯ – D♯
Formula:R-M3-P5-M9
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-M9
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-9

Introduction

C# Add 9 piano chord, root position — C#, F, G#, D#
The C# Add 9 chord in root position on a piano keyboard, notes C#, F, G#, D#.

The C♯ Add 9 chord is a four-note chord made up of C♯, E♯, G♯, and D♯. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, and major ninth.

Notes

Notes:C♯ – E♯ – G♯ – D♯

C♯ Add 9 Inversions

C# Add 9 piano chord, 1st inversion — F, G#, C#, D#
The C# Add 9 chord, 1st inversion, on a piano keyboard.
C# Add 9 piano chord, 2nd inversion — G#, C#, D#, F
The C# Add 9 chord, 2nd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
C# Add 9 piano chord, 3rd inversion — C#, D#, F, G#
The C# Add 9 chord, 3rd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
PositionNotes
Root PositionC♯ – E♯ – G♯ – D♯
1st InversionE♯ – G♯ – D♯ – C♯
2nd InversionG♯ – D♯ – C♯ – E♯
3rd InversionD♯ – C♯ – E♯ – G♯

Key Signature

The key of C# Add 9 has 7 sharps.

F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯

Order of sharps

Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.

F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯

Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle

Chords in the Key of C♯ Major

These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the C♯ major scale:

C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — C♯ Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1IC♯ MajorMajor
2iiD♯ MinorMinor
3iiiF MinorMinor
4IVF♯ MajorMajor
5VG♯ MajorMajor
6viA♯ MinorMinor
7vii°C DiminishedDiminished

Theory: Intervals

Formula: R-M3-P5-M9
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-M9

The C♯ Add 9 is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-M9 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-M9 show the distance between each note in the chord.

C♯ Add 9 — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the C# Add 9 chord?
C# Add 9 is built from the C# root. Check the interactive keyboard above for exact notes and fingering.
How is the C# Add 9 chord used in music?
C# Add 9 appears in jazz, pop, and classical contexts. Its sound depends on the chord quality (Add 9).
What is the fingering for C# Add 9?
See the fingering chart above. Right hand typically uses thumb on root. Left hand uses pinky on root.
What are the inversions of C# Add 9?
Use the inversion buttons above to see each inversion with notes, fingering, and staff notation.

Practice Tips

  • Major triad plus the 9th — no 7th.
  • Open, modern pop sound.
  • Simpler than a full 9th chord.
  • Compare with C#9.
  • Common in pop and worship music.
  • Bright, spacious quality.

Related Tools

Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.