Cmaj9 Guitar Chord
Cmaj9 is a major ninth chord. It adds a major ninth to a major seventh chord for a lush, open sound. Its notes are C, E, G, B and D. Below is one way to play it, with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in Cmaj9
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | Root |
| E | 3 | Major 3rd |
| G | 5 | Perfect 5th |
| B | 7 | Major 7th |
| D | 9 | Major 9th |
Formula: 1–3–5–7–9
Cmaj9 chord shapes
Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.
Maj9 shape 2fr
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 3 2 4 3 x
- Fingers
- – 2 1 4 3 –
How to play Cmaj9 (easiest shape)
Shape: Maj9 shape 2fr, tab x 3 2 4 3 x (6th to 1st string).
- 1Put your index finger (1) on the 4th string at the 2nd fret.
- 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 5th string at the 3rd fret.
- 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 2nd string at the 3rd fret.
- 4Put your pinky (4) on the 3rd string at the 4th fret.
- 5Don't play the 6th string.
- 6Keep the 1st string quiet: stop your strum at the 2nd string, or let a fretting finger touch it lightly.
- 7Strum down from the 5th string to the 2nd string.
Cmaj9: common questions
- What notes are in the Cmaj9 chord?
- Cmaj9 has 5 notes: C, E, G, B and D. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–7–9.
- Is there an easier way to play Cmaj9?
- The easiest shape on this page is "Maj9 shape 2fr" (x 3 2 4 3 x). It needs no barre: each finger presses just one string.
Related chords
More guitar tools
See all 231 chords in the chord library, find a scale to play over them, or tune up before you start.