C♯ Dominant 9th
Also Known As
Hear the C♯ Dominant 9th chord played for you.
C♯9
C♯ – F – G♯ – B – D♯
Formula:R-M3-P5-m7-M9
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-m7-M9
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-b7-9
Introduction
The C♯ Dominant 9th chord is a five-note chord made up of C♯, F, G♯, B, and D♯. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth.
The C# Dominant 9th piano chord (C#9) consists of the notes C#, F, G#, B, D#. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-b7-9.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of C# Dominant 9th 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)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-m7-M9
The C♯ Dominant 9th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-m7-M9 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-m7-M9 show the distance between each note in the chord.
C♯ Dominant 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the C# Dominant 9th chord?
The C# Dominant 9th chord (C#9) contains 5 notes: C#, F, G#, B, D#. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9.
How is C#9 used in music?
C#9 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for C#9?
C#9 uses scale degrees 1-3-5-b7-9, giving it its distinctive sound.
Practice Tips
- Start by placing your thumb on C# and spacing remaining fingers across the chord.
- Practice C#9 slowly with separate hands before combining.
- Listen carefully to the tension created by the altered tones in this chord.
- Try voicing C#9 in different octaves to find the most comfortable position.
- Resolve C#9 to a nearby chord to hear its function in context.
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.