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Guitar chords · Minor add 9

Cm(add9) chord on guitar

Cm(add9) (C minor add 9) has four notes: C, E♭, G and D, the , ♭3, 5 and 9.

Shapes

How to play Cm(add9)

Strum a shape to hear it, or pick it one string at a time. R marks the ; the other numbers are the chord tones.

Cm(add9) has an , and one : the E shape at 8. A movable shape keeps its fingering anywhere on the neck: slide it up or down and the , on the lowest played string, names the chord.

  • Open

    ××R♭39CE♭GD
  • E shape · fret 8

    8frR59♭35RCGDE♭GC
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes Cm(add9) minor add 9

A minor add9 chord is a minor chord with the 9th added and no 7th. The 9th sits a above the , giving the minor chord a wistful, ringing colour heard in ballads and film music.

  • 1Root: the note the chord is named after. Keep it.
  • 3Essential: makes the chord what it is. Never drop it.
  • 5Optional: drop it first when you run out of fingers.

The ♭3rd and the 9th make Cm(add9) a minor add 9 chord; you can leave out the 5th.

  1. CRroot
  2. E♭♭3essential
  3. G5optional
  4. D9essential
EADGBE0135791215CCCCCCCCGDE♭GDE♭GDE♭GDE♭GDE♭GDE♭GDGDE♭G
  • C, the root
  • Other chord tones

Keys

Keys with Cm(add9)

Cm(add9) belongs to four keys: E♭ major (vi(add9)), B♭ major (ii(add9)), C minor (i(add9)) and G minor (iv(add9)).

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Slash chords

Cm(add9) over another bass note

A keeps Cm(add9) on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • Cm(add9)/E♭

    Cm(add9) with its ♭3rd, E♭, in the bass.

  • Cm(add9)/G

    Cm(add9) with its 5th, G, in the bass.

Questions

Cm(add9), in short

What notes are in the Cm(add9) chord?
Cm(add9) (C minor add 9) has four notes: C, E♭, G and D, the , ♭3, 5 and 9.
How do you play Cm(add9) on guitar?
Cm(add9) has an , and one : the E shape at 8.
What key is Cm(add9) in?
Cm(add9) belongs to four keys: E♭ major (vi(add9)), B♭ major (ii(add9)), C minor (i(add9)) and G minor (iv(add9)).
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