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Cmaj9 Chord on Guitar

Cmaj9 is the C major 9th chord — 5 notes (C, E, G, B, D) built from the formula 1 3 5 7 9. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: C · E · G · B · DFormula: 1 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 9Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

Cmaj9: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • Cmaj9 – open position×R9573open position
  • Cmaj9 – fret 2×R379×fret 2
  • Cmaj9 – fret 55R95R37fret 5
  • Cmaj9 – fret 77R37957fret 7
  • Cmaj9 – fret 99××R379fret 9
  • Cmaj9 – fret 1212×R9573fret 12

Cmaj9: Shell voicings (jazz)

  • Cmaj9 – R-3-77R37×××R-3-7
  • Cmaj9 – R-3-7×R37××R-3-7
  • Cmaj9 – R-7-38R×73××R-7-3
  • Cmaj9 – R-7-3×R×73×R-7-3

Keys that contain Cmaj9

Scales to play over Cmaj9

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain C, E, G, B, D.

Other C chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Major 9th chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the Cmaj9 chord?
Cmaj9 (C major 9th) contains C, E, G, B, D — formula 1 3 5 7 9.
How do you play Cmaj9 on guitar?
A common shape is x30000 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with Cmaj9?
Good choices to solo over Cmaj9: C Ionian (Major), C Lydian.
What key is Cmaj9 in?
Cmaj9 is diatonic in C major (Imaj9), G major (IVmaj9), E minor (♭VImaj9), A minor (♭IIImaj9).