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Cm(add9) Chord on Guitar

Cm(add9) is the C minor add 9 chord — 4 notes (C, E♭, G, D) built from the formula 1 ♭3 5 9. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: C · E♭ · G · DFormula: 1 · ♭3 · 5 · 9Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

Cm(add9): Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • Cm(add9) – open position×R95♭35open position
  • Cm(add9) – fret 55R95♭35×fret 5
  • Cm(add9) – fret 88R5R♭359fret 8
  • Cm(add9) – fret 1212×R♭359×fret 12

Cm(add9): Drop 2 voicings

  • Cm(add9) – bass: 98××9♭35Rbass: 9
  • Cm(add9) – bass: R8R59♭3××bass: R
  • Cm(add9) – bass: R3×R59♭3×bass: R

Keys that contain Cm(add9)

Scales to play over Cm(add9)

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain C, E♭, G, D.

Other C chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Minor add 9 chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the Cm(add9) chord?
Cm(add9) (C minor add 9) contains C, E♭, G, D — formula 1 ♭3 5 9.
How do you play Cm(add9) on guitar?
A common shape is x30043 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with Cm(add9)?
Good choices to solo over Cm(add9): C Aeolian (Minor), C Dorian, C Melodic minor.
What key is Cm(add9) in?
Cm(add9) is diatonic in E♭ major (viadd9), B♭ major (iiadd9), C minor (iadd9), G minor (ivadd9).