Extended Chords - Omitting - Common voicing

[mathieugpl]

use root C chord for examples*

I'm reading/playing a melody with one hand, and playing the indicated chords above the staff with the other hand.  I come accross C9, how can I play this so it doesn't sound like sh*t?   

C9 = C, E, G, Bb, D       Ow.. my hand..

Here's the culminant point of this post...   

• What notes can I omit without totally changing the chord.. what am I allowed?
• List all the common ways of playing a C9 chord (preferably with one hand)

[amanfang]

Generally, 9th chords are in root position.  Can you redistribute to put some of the notes in the RH with the melody?  What chord tone is the melody?  If you're going to leave out a note, generally only the 5th can be left out without compromising the chord quality.

[mattgreenecomposer]

Options:
a. Leave out the fifth.
b. take notes in the right hand depending on how full you want the chord to sound (careful about doubling certaing tones)
c.  Leave out the root playing E, Bb, and D.  This is good if you have a bass player.
d. Use "shell voicings" in left hand also if the tempo is quick.  meaning root and 7th or root and third.
Hope that helps

[mathieugpl]

Options:
a. Leave out the fifth.
b. take notes in the right hand depending on how full you want the chord to sound (careful about doubling certaing tones)
c.  Leave out the root playing E, Bb, and D.  This is good if you have a bass player.
d. Use "shell voicings" in left hand also if the tempo is quick.  meaning root and 7th or root and third.
Hope that helps

It's a solo piano piece; no accompaniment..
Which notes should i be careful to double and why? ( Go nuts, just be concise and clear ).

[mathieugpl]

Generally, 9th chords are in root position.  Can you redistribute to put some of the notes in the RH with the melody?  What chord tone is the melody?  If you're going to leave out a note, generally only the 5th can be left out without compromising the chord quality.

Note quite sure what chord tone means...

But the song's key signature is no flats, no sharps. 
The accompaniment progression (indicated chords) is... 
|: C7, F7, C7, F7, C, Ab7, Bb9, A9, D7, G9 :|

at the part where the Bb9 , A9 comes in... (the topic of this post) there's written chords under each of them on the staff. 

Ab.D.C.E (all together)    is written on the staff under Bb9    ,   and..
G.C#.B.E (together)        is written on the staff under A9

the Bb9 , A9 part of the song is just a little added drama, I believe.
Also, I thought the song sounded as though it were a Blues Scale.
I hope this is enough info for a wickid answer.

[richy321]

Just omit the bottom C and insert one an octave up.  It fits the hand perfectly.

[slobone]

Ninth chords are most commonly played with the root (C in this case) omitted. The D then often resolves back to the C.

[quantum]

Possible voicings going from bottom to top:

LH: C Bb  RH: E G D

LH: C G D  RH: E Bb (D)