Piano chord
Cmaj9C major ninth
- C1
- E3
- G5
- B7
- D9
- Notes
- 5
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 14semitones
- Fingers
- 5 + 1-3-5
How to play Cmaj9 on piano
- Find C: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Left hand: play C with the little finger (5), an octave below the right hand.
- Right hand: 1 on E, 3 on B, 5 on D.
- Leave out G: the chord is still recognisable without it, and the hand stays relaxed.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · C – E – G – B – D
1st inversion · E – G – B – D – C
2nd inversion · G – B – D – C – E
3rd inversion · B – D – C – E – G
This chord has more notes than one hand holds comfortably; see the two-hand voicing below.
Cmaj9 inversions
Here are all 4 positions of Cmaj9. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has C at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: CC – E – G – B – D
- 1st inversionbass: EE – G – B – D – C
- 2nd inversionbass: GG – B – D – C – E
- 3rd inversionbass: BB – D – C – E – G
Cmaj9 with two hands
A practical voicing: the left hand plays C, the right hand plays the colour notes E–B–D. Notes that can be left out are left out.
Cmaj9 on other instruments
About the Cmaj9 chord
The 5 notes of C major ninth are C (1), E (3), G (5), B (7), D (9). A major ninth: a major seventh with the ninth. One of the most colourful major chords, used in jazz and modern pop.
Put your thumb on C and count up: C – E – G – B – D. The whole chord spans 14 semitones from bottom to top. That is wider than an octave, so most pianists split Cmaj9: C in the left hand, the upper notes in the right.
The inversions of Cmaj9 keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is E (E–G–B–D–C). In the 2nd inversion the bass is G (G–B–D–C–E). In the 3rd inversion the bass is B (B–D–C–E–G).
Add D to Cmaj7 and you have Cmaj9.
Questions
What notes are in the Cmaj9 chord?
Cmaj9 (C major ninth) has 5 notes: C (1), E (3), G (5), B (7), D (9).
How many inversions does Cmaj9 have?
Cmaj9 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (C–E–G–B–D); 1st inversion (E–G–B–D–C); 2nd inversion (G–B–D–C–E); 3rd inversion (B–D–C–E–G).
What is the difference between Cmaj9 and Cmaj7?
Add D to Cmaj7 and you have Cmaj9.
Can I play Cmaj9 with one hand?
In root position Cmaj9 spans 14 semitones, more than an octave. Play the root with the left hand and the upper notes with the right, or leave out the fifth.