Cmaj9 chord on guitar
C Major Ninth. Notes: C, E, G, B and D.
How to play Cmaj9
- Put your ring finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 3 (C).
- Let the open D, G, B and high E strings ring.
- Don't play the low E string: skip it or mute it with a fretting finger.
- Strum from the A string down.
Lowest note: C (the root)Strings played: 5 of 6Other voicings: 3 below
All 4 ways to play Cmaj9
Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.Open position
EasyBarre at fret 5
MediumBarre at fret 3
HardBarre at fret 8
HardNotes and theory
Croot
E3 · major third
G5 · perfect fifth
B7 · major seventh
D9 · ninth
The major ninth extends a major seventh with a ninth. It is one of the richest-sounding major chords. The formula is 1 3 5 7 9.
More C chords
All C guitar chordsCmajorCmminorC7dominant seventhCm7minor seventhCmaj7major seventhCsus4suspended fourthCsus2suspended secondCdimdiminishedCaugaugmentedC6major sixthC9dominant ninthCadd9added ninthCm7b5half-diminishedCdim7diminished seventhC7sus4dominant seventh suspended fourthC5power chordCm6minor sixthCm9minor ninth
major ninth chords in every key
Questions
What notes are in the Cmaj9 chord?
Cmaj9 (C major ninth) is made of five notes: C (root), E (major third), G (perfect fifth), B (major seventh) and D (ninth).
How do you play Cmaj9 on guitar?
The easiest Cmaj9 is the "open position" shape. Put your ring finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 3 (C). Let the open D, G, B and high E strings ring. Don't play the low E string: skip it or mute it with a fretting finger.
Is Cmaj9 hard to play on guitar?
No. The easiest version is rated easy and uses 1 fretted note plus open strings.
What does a major ninth chord sound like?
The major ninth extends a major seventh with a ninth. It is one of the richest-sounding major chords.