The C9 chord, left-handed

Left-handed C9 diagram

Vertical: high e on the left, nut at the top. Horizontal: high e at the top, nut on the right. X = silent, O = open. Dot numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little. A thick line joins notes held with one finger as a barre.

Fret and finger guide

Both codes read from low E to high e, regardless of the diagram view.

Frets

x · 3 · 2 · 3 · 3 · 3

Fingers

– · 2 · 1 · 3 · 3 · 3

Level

Advanced (this fingering)

Make a clean C9 chord

Begin on A. Use a small ring-finger barre across G, B and high e at fret 3 while the index holds D at fret 2.

1. Place one finger at a time, just behind the fret wire.
2. Pick each sounding string slowly. Adjust any finger that mutes its neighbour.
3. Release pressure, then make the shape again. Aim for a relaxed hand.
4. Strum four beats, rest for four, then repeat. Rest if your hand becomes tired; stop if you feel pain.

Another way to play it

Try x3233x, omitting high e. This removes the fifth but keeps root, third, flat seventh and ninth.

Fret codes are written low E to high e. An x means leave that string silent.