How do you play the C# 5(add9)/A chord?

To play the C# 5(add9)/A chord on piano, play the C# 5(add9) chord (C#, G# and D#) with A as the lowest bass note. Place the A note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The C# 5(add9)/A chord means a C# 5(add9) chord with A in the bass.

C# 5(add9)/A

Q: What notes are in the C# 5(add9)/A chord?

The C# 5(add9)/A chord uses the 3 notes of the C# 5(add9) chord — C# (Perfect unison), G# (Perfect fifth) and D# (Major ninth) — with A played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The C# 5(add9) chord consists of the C# (Perfect unison), G# (Perfect fifth) and D# (Major ninth) notes, with A as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a C# 5(add9)/A chord

How to play the C# 5(add9)/A chord

Play A as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find C# (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add G# (Perfect fifth) — 7 semitones above C#
Add D# (Major ninth) — 14 semitones above C#
Press all 4 notes simultaneously to sound the C# 5(add9)/A chord

Inversions with same root

A maj7(b5)

Related chords with different root

D# 11(b5)(sus4)

Related slash chords

C# sus2/A
D# 11(sus4)/A
G# sus4/A