Cmaj9 piano chord (C major 9th)
C – E – G – B – D
Formula 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 – 9
Cmaj9 inversions
An inversion keeps the same notes but puts a different one at the bottom. Use them to move to the next chord with the smallest hand movement.
Root position Cmaj9
C – E – G – B – D
1st inversion Cmaj9/E
E – G – B – D – C
2nd inversion Cmaj9/G
G – B – D – C – E
3rd inversion Cmaj9/B
B – D – C – E – G
4th inversion Cmaj9/D
D – C – E – G – B
Cmaj9 chord questions
What notes are in the C major 9th chord?
Cmaj9 is C, E, G, B, D. Its formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 – 9, counted from the root C.
How do you play Cmaj9 on piano?
With the right hand in root position, play C–E–G–B–D using all five fingers (1–5) (thumb on C). The full five-note shape spans more than an octave, so pianists usually play the root C in the left hand and E–G–B–D in the right.
What are the inversions of Cmaj9?
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; 4th inversion: D–C–E–G–B.