Modal RunsCmaj9 Chord (Major 9th)
Major 9th extends major 7th with a 9th on top — root, 3rd, 5th, major 7th, 9th — the lushest plain-major colour available. The notes of Cmaj9 are C, E, G, B, D.
A step beyond maj7 in sophistication: neo-soul, city pop, and jazz voicings that want maximum warmth with zero tension.
Cmaj9 voicings on guitar
Every playable, root-in-the-bass grip standard tuning offers, computed from the chord’s own formula — not a fixed shape library.
Voice just the 3rd, 7th, and 9th (skip the root and 5th) for the classic thin, floating jazz-piano version of this chord.
Formula and intervals
R - 3 - 5 - 7 - 2 — 5 notes.
Scales that fit Cmaj9
Every scale below contains all of this chord’s notes — safe territory to improvise in over it.