This is simply a chord naming question. Index finger on the 4th string 2nd fret, middle finger on the 5th string 3rd fret, open G string, 3rd finger on 2nd string 3rd fret and an open 1st string. It seems to work with the 6th string either open or muted. To my advancing beginner ears, it sounds nice and doesn’t seem to work particularly well anywhere else on the neck (others may disagree there…). Here’s the question: is this a type of C9 if the 6th string is muted (because of the D), or perhaps a C9 with an E Base if the 6th is open? If I’m wrong, an explanation as to why it’s named differently would be greatly appreciated. I’m trying to get my head around how the ‘non-standard’ chords are named. Many thanks.
It is a standard open C but with a D (9th) played on the second string, so a C9. You could call it a C9/E if you wanted to emphasise that the sixth string should be played. I’ve always treated the slash chords as suggestions. In a band, the bass player could play the low E (in this case), but in a solo situation the guitarist can add it, if they want to.
1 Like
C9
C-root
E-3rd
G-5th
That’s the C cord part of it.
add b7th. Bb
That’s the C7 part of it.
Add D-9th. 2nd note of the C scale, up a octave to make it the 9th.
Ya can add Low E 6th string and or G high E string. Or leave them muted.
I typically play C9 as x3133x or add in the high G for x31333.
Does that help?
Strictly speaking, a C9 would include a 7th too. If the 7th is skipped, as in this case, you could call it a Cadd9.
For this question. I think we should be strictly speak.
Myself, I don’t typically add that low E.
I could be wrong here, but then it would be /E, which I think would make it a inverted chord? 2nd inversion?
fwiw. I play a couple songs that use both the C9 or the Cadd9. I personally love the sound of Cadd9, C9, less so. But for sure C9 has it’s place to be more than useful.
As if my personal preference makes any difference one way or the other. I just like Cadd9. 
For both, I don’t typically add that low E in. It’s muted or not played. But it’s still a viable note for the chord I’m thinking.
Agree that the original chord you describe is Cadd9, and Cadd9/E if you play the open 6th string. fwiw, I don’t love the open 6th string in that chord, but I do really like playing it as 332o3o - putting the 5th in the bass instead of the 3rd
I think you should edit this statement, you’re are correct in your 2nd post. The chord is a Cadd9 or a Cadd9/E if the open E is in the base
Open chord are usually referred to as Slash Chords not inventions so not to confuse them with inverted chord which are played up the neck and usually partial chords.
But theoretically you’re not wrong.
The way I look at it, all inversions can be written as slash chords for example D/F# as a common example, but not all slash chords are inversions.
1 Like
Thanks fellas, that’s really helpful and very much appreciated. all understood.
Yes, I should have done; that would have made things simpler.
Aren’t slash chords peculiar to guitar? For other instruments people seem to refer to inversions.
Not that I’ve found… Slash chords are common across other instruments, and music in general They are important for note clarity IE what’s in the base; and for voice leading.
I know that what guitarists call slash chords exist outside of guitar music. My question was whether anyone other than guitarists uses that particular notation or nomenclature.
EDIT: yes, some piano music uses slash chords.
Yes, they do,as I said
Also keep in mind that a slash chord may not be an inversion. It simply signifies that a note other than the root is being played as the bass note of the chord. In most cases this will form an inversion, often with the 3rd in the bass, but other times it might be a note not in the triad - you’ll see slash chords used with chromatic bass walkdowns played against a single chord for example.
2 Likes