A phrase in C major
- C
- Cmaj9
- G7
- C
Hear Cmaj9 in a tonic–chord–dominant–tonic phrase. Its role depends on its position, not just its quality.
Discover the chord. Understand the music.
Explore notes on guitar or piano, uncover their harmony, and turn your ideas into practice.
Selected:C4E4G4B4D5
- Root
- 3rd / sus
- 5th
- 7th
- 6th / extensions
Cmaj9
C major ninth
A major seventh chord with a major ninth on top.
- Chord tones
- C1 · RootE3 · 3rdG5 · 5thB7 · 7thD9 · Ext
- Formula
- 1–3–5–7–9
- Root / bass
- C / C
- Notes played (low → high)
- C4 · E4 · G4 · B4 · D5
Cmaj9 · major ninth
How to Use This Chord
Sound & role
Adds colour to a triad; its key and surrounding chords determine its harmonic role.
Genre examples
Jazz
Soul
Pop
Examples of musical settings, not restrictions or claims about how often this chord appears.
Connection & passing potential
No specific chromatic passing use is established by these notes alone. A passing function requires a starting chord, a destination and voice movement.
Diatonic context · example keys
Every chord tone fits these example keys. Other keys may also fit; the chord root is not assumed to be the tonic.
C major · Imaj9
major
E minor · VImaj9
natural minor