Cmaj9 chord (C major ninth) on guitar
Cmaj9 (C major ninth) has five notes: C, E, G, B and D. Its formula is 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. In major keys, Cmaj9 is the Imaj9 chord in C major and the IVmaj9 in G major.
Cmaj9 chord shapes
Fingers: 1 on A.
Fingers: 1 on A, 2 on G.
Fingers: 3 on A, 4 on G, 1 on B.
Fingers: 2 on A, 1 on D, 4 on G, 3 on B.
Fingers: 4 on E, 1 on A, 2 on D, 3 on G.
Finger 1 barres fret 5, then 4 on E, 3 on e.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | Cmaj9 |
|---|---|
| Also written | CM9, CΔ9 |
| Notes | C E G B D |
| Formula | 1 3 5 7 9 |
| Intervals | root, major third, perfect fifth, major seventh, major second |
| Type | Major ninth chord |
Cmaj9 across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 0 E (3), fret 3 G (5), fret 7 B (7), fret 8 C (1), fret 10 D (9), fret 12 E (3), fret 15 G (5), fret 19 B (7), fret 20 C (1), fret 22 D (9), fret 24 E (3).
- A string: fret 2 B (7), fret 3 C (1), fret 5 D (9), fret 7 E (3), fret 10 G (5), fret 14 B (7), fret 15 C (1), fret 17 D (9), fret 19 E (3), fret 22 G (5).
- D string: fret 0 D (9), fret 2 E (3), fret 5 G (5), fret 9 B (7), fret 10 C (1), fret 12 D (9), fret 14 E (3), fret 17 G (5), fret 21 B (7), fret 22 C (1), fret 24 D (9).
- G string: fret 0 G (5), fret 4 B (7), fret 5 C (1), fret 7 D (9), fret 9 E (3), fret 12 G (5), fret 16 B (7), fret 17 C (1), fret 19 D (9), fret 21 E (3), fret 24 G (5).
- B string: fret 0 B (7), fret 1 C (1), fret 3 D (9), fret 5 E (3), fret 8 G (5), fret 12 B (7), fret 13 C (1), fret 15 D (9), fret 17 E (3), fret 20 G (5), fret 24 B (7).
- e string: fret 0 E (3), fret 3 G (5), fret 7 B (7), fret 8 C (1), fret 10 D (9), fret 12 E (3), fret 15 G (5), fret 19 B (7), fret 20 C (1), fret 22 D (9), fret 24 E (3).
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Questions
What notes are in the Cmaj9 chord?
Cmaj9 (C major ninth) has five notes: C, E, G, B and D. Its formula is 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. C is the root, E is the major third, G is the perfect fifth, B is the major seventh and D is the major second.
How do you play Cmaj9 on guitar?
The easiest shape is x30000. Fingers: 1 on A.
What key is Cmaj9 in?
In major keys, Cmaj9 is the Imaj9 chord in C major and the IVmaj9 in G major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between Cmaj9 and Cmaj7?
Cmaj9 is Cmaj7 (C, E, G and B) with D, the 9th, added.