C Major 9 (Cmaj9) Chord Guitar

Lush and dreamy — a major 7th with a 9th stacked on top.

A major 7th with an added 9th (1-3-5-7-9) — lush and dream-like.
Stacks all five tones for a rich, shimmering major sound.
A favourite of jazz, bossa nova and neo-soul.
Adds sophistication to a major chord without any tension.

Root9th3rd5th7th

Not played

E6th string

FretMuted

Finger—

Root

ABass5th string

Fret3

Finger1 index

5th

D4th string

Fret5

Finger4 pinky

7th

G3rd string

Fret4

Finger2 middle

9th

B2nd string

Fret3

Finger1 index

3rd

e1st string

FretOpen

Finger—

NotesC – G – B – D – E

Formula1 – 3 – 5 – 7 – 9

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TonesC×1·E×1·G×1·B×1·D×1

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This chord sounds even better than it looks.

Load C Major 9 (Cmaj9) onto an interactive fretboard, hear every note, and build it into a progression.

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Questions about C Major 9 (Cmaj9)

What notes are in a C Major 9 (Cmaj9) chord?

A C Major 9 (Cmaj9) chord contains the notes C, G, B, D, E. It is built from the major 9th formula 1 - 3 - 5 - 7 - 9, with C as the root.

What is the difference between Cmaj9 and Cadd9?

Both add the 9th (D) to a C major chord, but Cadd9 stops there — it has no 7th. Cmaj9 includes the major 7th (B) as well, so it's a fuller, jazzier five-note chord. Cadd9 sounds bright and folky; Cmaj9 sounds lush and jazzy, precisely because of that added major 7th.

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