C9#5: guitar chord voicings, inversions, scales and arpeggios

C9#5 (9#5) is an interactive GuitarArcanum page with chord formula, intervals, voicings, inversions, triads, pentatonic patterns, scales and arpeggios on the fretboard.

Chord formula

Interval formula: 1 3 #5 b7 9. A dominant with a sharp 5th and a 9th — a lifted, whole-tone dominant with a distinctive tension up top.

Chord tones

The #5 is a color tone, not a passing note. With the 9th it gives a whole-tone color, while the 3rd–b7 tritone keeps the dominant pull.

Sound character

Lifted, tense and whole-tone — a cousin of the altered dominant, but brighter because the 9th is natural.

Harmonic function

An altered dominant. The #5 strengthens the upward motion, usually toward a major or minor target.

Typical progressions

  • G9#5 → C
  • whole-tone run over 9#5
  • D9#5 – G

Guitar voicing advice

Root on the 5th string, using a #5 instead of the 5th. Stack 3 – b7 – 9 on top. The shape is symmetric and slides easily in whole steps.

Compatible scales for C9#5

Other chord qualities on the C root

Compare this chord with other qualities sharing the same root.