C Major 9th

Cmaj9

Notes

C · E · G · B · D

Intervals

  • RootC (1P)
  • Major 3rdE (3M)
  • Perfect 5thG (5P)
  • Major 7thB (7M)
  • Major 9thD (9M)

Fretboard

EBGDAE357912EGBCDEBCDEGBGBCDEGDEGBCDBCDEGEGBCDE

About

The C major 9th (C–E–G–B–D) extends a maj7 with a ninth. The result combines the gentle shimmer of the major-7 interval with the openness of the D. 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 CMaj7, maj9 feels more expansive and less static; the added 9th breathes air into the chord without introducing tension. Compared to C6/9, it is more harmonically active because of the 7th.

Open in visualizer →

Adjust labels, frets, and palette in the interactive view.