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Chord & Fret

C7(b9) on electric guitar

C7(b9) on electric guitar — frets × 3 2 3 2 0C7(b9)3142×CEBbDbE
Frets: × 3 2 3 2 0

On the electric guitar a chord needs only a few clear notes — the amp sustains them and fills the space, so you mute the strings you are not playing and let the tone carry the rest. In this position the bass is C and the shape runs from fret 2 to 3, ringing 1 open string. Plugged into an amp, each chord sustains for as long as you hold it, and the tone — clean or driven — shapes the whole sound.

Notes on C: C – E – G – Bb – DbFormula: 1 – 3 – 5 – b7 – b9

In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.

Where to use it: A dominant that resolves to a minor chord.

The shapes of C7(b9) on electric guitar don't end on this page — the whole neck holds dozens. In Chord & Fret, you check it note by note, playing any shape as an arpeggio; open every variation on the neck, grouped by bass note; and change the tuning — the shape rewrites itself. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. 100% offline.

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Part of the Altered dominants family.

See the full explanation of C7(b9) →