C6/9 Chord

What is the C6/9 Chord?

The C6/9 chord is a useful grip to learn because it shows you the core chord tones you'll reuse in riffs, progressions, and improvisation.

Notes and Arpeggios

The 6/9 chord stacks a major 6th and a 9th on a major triad, producing a warm, complete sound that feels settled but colorful. It's a classic jazz voicing often used as a final chord or a substitute for plain major. The chord tones are: C, E, G, A, D. It's built from degrees 1, 3, 5, 6, and 9.

How to Use It

Extended voicings are a staple of jazz, neo-soul, and modern pop harmony. On bass, you usually outline this chord instead of strumming it: emphasize the root, 3rd, 5th, and 7th as the harmony requires, then use passing tones to connect back to the groove.

Build a one-bar bass line from the chord tones before adding scale passing tones. Use the highlights to spot where the same tone repeats across strings.