C major 9 chord (Cmaj9) on guitar and piano

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C major 9
The C major 9 chord (Cmaj9) is made of the notes C, D, E, G and B. It is built from the root C with a ninth, a major third, a perfect fifth and a major seventh.
The major 9 chord is bright and lush, very present in jazz, soul and pop.

C major 9

Notes: C – D – E – G – B
Guitar — positions on the neck
Cmaj9××2143
Piano — root position and inversions
Cmaj9C12345C D E G BCmaj9CC12345D E G B CCmaj9CC12345E G B C DCmaj9C12345G B C D ECmaj9C12345B C D E G

Fingerings and positions

On guitar, this chord can be played in 1 ways along the neck. It is most often played with a barre. Example fingering (from the low E string to the high E string, x = muted string): x3243x. On piano, the right hand plays 5 notes, in root position or in an inversion.

Notes and intervals

Note
Interval
C
root
D
ninth
E
major third
G
perfect fifth
B
major seventh

Neighbouring chords

Try it in the app

Hear the chords, play them as a progression, switch instrument, note names (Do Ré Mi or C D E) and theme:

Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the C major 9 chord?

The notes of the C major 9 chord (Cmaj9) are C, D, E, G and B.

How do you play the C major 9 chord on guitar?

On guitar, this chord can be played in 1 ways along the neck. It is most often played with a barre. Example fingering (from the low E string to the high E string, x = muted string): x3243x.

How is the C major 9 chord built?

The C major 9 chord (Cmaj9) is made of the notes C, D, E, G and B. It is built from the root C with a ninth, a major third, a perfect fifth and a major seventh.