B Major 9th

Bmaj9

Notes

B · D# · F# · A# · C#

Intervals

  • RootB (1P)
  • Major 3rdD# (3M)
  • Perfect 5thF# (5P)
  • Major 7thA# (7M)
  • Major 9thC# (9M)

Fretboard

EBGDAE357912F#A#BC#D#BC#D#F#A#BA#BC#D#F#D#F#A#BC#A#BC#D#F#F#A#BC#D#

About

The B major 9th (B–D♯–F♯–A♯–C♯) extends a maj7 with a ninth. The result combines the gentle shimmer of the major-7 interval with the openness of the C♯. The 3rd, 7th, and 9th are the essential tones — the 5th is typically dropped on guitar, since it adds little harmonic information and clutters the voicing. Common in jazz and R&B as a tonic or subdominant color. Compared to BMaj7, maj9 feels more expansive and less static; the added 9th breathes air into the chord without introducing tension. Compared to B6/9, it is more harmonically active because of the 7th.

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