C# Minor/major Ninth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C# Minor/major Ninth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C#, E, G#, C, D#
Intervals: 1P, 3m, 5P, 7M, 9M
Formula: WH-2W-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: mM9, mMaj9, -^9
The C# Minor/major Ninth arpeggio contains 5 notes (C#, E, G#, C, D#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C# Minor/major Ninth Arpeggio
Play the C# Minor/major Ninth arpeggio whenever a C# Minor/major Ninth chord appears in a progression. Unlike scales (which include passing tones), arpeggios guarantee every note you play IS a chord tone, making your solo sound harmonically precise and intentional.
Arpeggio vs. Scale
The C# Minor/major Ninth arpeggio uses 5 notes (C#, E, G#, C, D#) while the full scale uses 7. The arpeggio is a subset — think of it as the skeleton of the scale. Practice alternating between the arpeggio and the full scale to develop a melodic vocabulary that mixes chord tones with passing tones.
How to Play C# Minor/major Ninth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your C# Minor/major Ninth arpeggio at fret 9 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 4th fret on the A string. This 5-note arpeggio (C#, E, G#, C, D#) benefits from economy picking, combining sweep and alternate picking motions. Practice isolating two-string pairs to build coordination before linking the full shape.
The C# Minor/major Ninth arpeggio outlines a C# minor chord and fits naturally over C#m, C#m7, C#m6 voicings. Use it to bring out the darker, expressive quality of minor harmony in your solos and melodies.
Practice Routine
Start by playing the C# Minor/major Ninth arpeggio ascending and descending at 60 BPM, one note per beat, using a metronome. Once even and confident, play it in eighth notes, then triplets, keeping each note articulate. Spend at least 5 minutes daily on this before moving to musical application.
Guitar Tips
Try playing the C# Minor/major Ninth arpeggio on guitar by superimposing it over the corresponding C# minor barre chord shape. This visual connection between chord and arpeggio helps you find arpeggio tones instantly during improvisation.
Related Resources
Explore C# Minor/major Ninth in Other Tunings
- C# Minor/major Ninth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C# Minor/major Ninth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C# Minor/major Ninth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C# Minor/major Ninth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C# Minor/major Ninth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C# Minor/major Ninth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C# Minor/major Ninth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C# Minor/major Ninth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C# Minor/major Ninth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C# Minor/major Ninth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C# Minor/major Ninth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C# Minor/major Ninth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C# Minor/major Ninth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C# Minor/major Ninth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)