Chord chart for CmM9 Guitar Chord (C minor major 9): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

C minor major 9 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 58 playable shapes

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C minor major 9 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

C minor major 9 guitar chord

CmM9 is the C minor major 9 guitar chord. It uses the notes C, E♭, G, B, and D and the interval formula 1-♭3-5-7-9.

The C minor major 9 minor major 9 chord blends the haunting tension of the minor major 7th with the romantic ninth D, resulting in a complex, emotional palette. It conveys a sense of mystery and introspection, suitable for cinematic or jazz compositions.

Also written as Cmin/maj9.

Root note: C
Quality: minor major 9
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 58

Chord tones

CE♭GBD

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape 860007

860007

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string.
  4. 4 Let the fourth, third, and second strings ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 6th string down.

Shape 860807

860807

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string.
  5. 5 Let the fourth and second strings ring open.
  6. 6 Strum from the 6th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

C Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

E♭ Minor Third ♭3

This note supplies the minor color and gives the chord its darker emotional pull.

G Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

B Major Seventh 7

The major seventh adds a smooth, lush tension close to the root.

D Major Ninth 9

The ninth opens the chord up and adds a modern, spacious color.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

C minor major 9 shape 860007

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Let the fourth, third, and second strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C minor major 9 shape 860807

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  5. 5 Let the fourth and second strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C minor major 9 shape 860087

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Let the fourth and third strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C minor major 9 shape 860887

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string and 3rd string in barre position
  5. 5 Let the fourth string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C minor major 9 shape 860008

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Let the fourth, third, and second strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C minor major 9 shape 860708

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the fourth and second strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C minor major 9 shape 860808

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the fourth and second strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

C minor major 9 shape 8x0807

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the fourth and second strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the fifth string
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in CmM9?

CmM9 uses the notes C, E♭, G, B, and D. Its interval formula is 1-♭3-5-7-9.

What is another name for CmM9?

CmM9 is also written as Cmin/maj9.

How do you play CmM9 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string. Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 6th string. Let the fourth, third, and second strings ring open. Strum from the 6th string down.

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