In every key
The same shape, moved. The symbols below are spelled the way the app spells them, which is the spelling the chord's own scale asks for rather than whichever accidental is easier to type.
- Cmaj9
- Dbmaj9
- Dmaj9
- Ebmaj9
- Emaj9
- Fmaj9
- F#maj9
- Gmaj9
- Abmaj9
- Amaj9
- Bbmaj9
- Bmaj9
Voicings
Written in C, because that is the key the encyclopedia authors them in; every one transposes unchanged.
Root Position
C · E · G · B · D
intermediate
Rootless Type A (3-5-7-9)
E · G · B · D
intermediate
Bill Evans rootless — bass plays C, you play E-G-B-D
Rootless Type B (7-9-3-5)
B · D · E · G
intermediate
Drop-2
G · B · D · E
intermediate
Rootless Type A + 13 (3-5-7-9-13)
E · G · B · D · A
advanced
Fred Hersch 5-note rootless maj9 with the 13 on top
Drop-3 Rootless (3-9-5-7)
E · D · G · B
advanced
Pablo Held open spacing — 9th opened beside the 3rd, transparent texture
Spread Two-Hand (3-7-9-5)
E · B · D · G
intermediate
Low 3rd in the bass with a guide-tone+9+5 cluster above — Evans ballad sound
Four-Way Close (rootless)
E · G · B · D · G
advanced
LH E-G, RH B-D-G; bassist holds the root. Top G is melody; both hands lock and move together.
Glasper Neo-Soul Cluster (3-5-13-7-9)
E · G · A · B · D
advanced
LH 5-3 on E-G; RH 1-2-4 grabs B-D + A above; let the A ring as the soul color.
Where it turns up
Modern jazz tonic. Common in ballads, bossa nova, and post-bop. Bill Evans signature sound.
Commonly swapped with
- Cmaj7
- C6/9
- Em7
Progressions that use it
Every one of these is written out with the hands on a keyboard and on a stave.