Piano chord
C Dominant 9th Chord
C9 is a dominant 9th chord built on C. It contains the notes C – E – G – B♭ – D.
C9
Also written: Cdom9
- C
- E
- G
- B♭
- D
C
E
G
D
B♭
Notes in C9
Count up from C using the intervals below. The formula shows each note relative to the C major scale.
| Notes | Intervals | Formula | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Root | 1 | 0 |
| E | Major 3rd | 3 | 4 |
| G | Perfect 5th | 5 | 7 |
| B♭ | Minor 7th | ♭7 | 10 |
| D | Major 9th | 9 | 14 |
How to play C9 on piano
- Split it between the hands: left hand plays C (and the 7th if there is one), right hand plays the 3rd, 5th and 9th.
- Dropping the 5th is fine — it adds little colour and frees a finger.
- Keep the 9th on top for the smoothest sound.
About dominant 9th chords
A dominant 7th with a major 9th on top. It keeps the 7th's pull towards resolution but sounds fuller and smoother — the go-to chord of funk, soul and blues piano.
Sound: Funky & soulful
Songs that use it
- Kiss · PrinceFunk
- Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine · James BrownFunk
Keys that contain C9
C9 is built only from notes of these keys. The Roman numeral shows its role in each key.
Hear C9 with different sounds and compare it with other chords in the interactive builder.
Open in the chord builderPractising on an acoustic piano that sounds off?
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