Cmaj9 Guitar Chord | Fretboard Charts and Video Tabs
Welcome to our tutorial on the C maj9 chord, a beautiful and rich chord belonging to the Major Chords family. The C maj9 chord is composed of the notes C, E, G, B, and D, and is built using the intervals 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. These intervals are also known as the Root, Major Third, Perfect Fifth, Major Seventh, and Major Ninth, respectively.
The C maj9 chord is a more advanced chord often found in jazz and other sophisticated styles of music. If you're new to these types of chords, you might want to check out our tutorial on intermediate guitar chords before diving into this lesson.
Understanding how chords are built by stacking intervals is crucial to mastering the C maj9 chord. We highly recommend our tutorial on building chords by stacking intervals if you're not already familiar with this concept. Additionally, our tutorial on fretboard intervals can provide further insight into the way chords are constructed.
In this tutorial, we will provide chord diagrams and fretboard patterns that clearly show the tones composing the C maj9 chord. If you're unsure about how to read these diagrams or denote chords depending on the intervals that compose them, our tutorial on chord notation can be a valuable resource.
For those interested in exploring more complex chords, our tutorial on ninth guitar chords can provide further learning and practice opportunities. As always, happy playing!
Notes of the C maj9 chord:
Chord formula for the Major Ninth chord:
C Major Ninth Guitar Chord Diagrams
Chord boxes are sorted from the easiest to the hardest. Learn how to read chord diagrams.
If you have difficulties with bar chord shapes, check the Bar Chords Tips tutorial.
You can also use this accessible chords page with written diagrams instruction.
Position 1
Open
Position 2
Open
Position 3
Movable
Position 4
Open
Position 5
Movable
Position 6
Movable
Position 7
Movable
Position 8
Open
Position 9
Barre
Movable
Position 10
Barre
Movable
Position 11
Barre
Movable
You can find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you
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FAQ
What notes are included in a Cmaj9 chord?
The Cmaj9 chord is composed of five distinct notes: C, E, G, B, and D. These notes are derived from the C major scale, with additional extensions.
What intervals make up the Cmaj9 chord?
The Cmaj9 chord is built using specific intervals from its root (C). These intervals are the Root (1), Major Third (3), Perfect Fifth (5), Major Seventh (7), and Major Ninth (9).
How does the Cmaj9 chord differ from a C major chord or Cmaj7 chord?
A basic C major chord contains only the root, major third, and perfect fifth (C-E-G). A Cmaj7 chord adds the major seventh (C-E-G-B). The Cmaj9 chord further extends this by adding the major ninth (D), giving it a richer and more complex sound with all five notes (C-E-G-B-D).
Why is the Cmaj9 chord considered an advanced chord?
The Cmaj9 chord is considered advanced because it includes five notes, making its fingerings on the guitar typically more challenging than basic triads or seventh chords. Its extended intervals (the major seventh and major ninth) also contribute to its sophisticated harmonic quality, often used in jazz and other complex musical styles.
When should I use a Cmaj9 chord in my playing?
You should use a Cmaj9 chord when you want to add a rich, lush, and sophisticated color to your music. It is frequently found in genres like jazz, R&B, funk, and contemporary styles to create an open, full, and dreamy harmonic texture, often for intros, resolutions, or specific melodic voicings.