Theory · glossary
Ninth chord
Also called 9th chord, dominant 9th, maj9, extended chord
A ninth chord is a seventh chord with one more note stacked on top: the ninth, which is the scale's second note an octave up. Cmaj9 is C E G B D, C9 is C E G Bb D and Cm9 is C Eb G Bb D.
A ninth chord has five notes: root, third, fifth, seventh and ninth. The ninth sits 14 semitones above the root and has the same letter name as the second note of the scale, so in C it is D. Ninth chords are extended chords, which keep stacking thirds past the seventh to the 11th and 13th.
| Type | Symbol | Notes | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major ninth | Cmaj9 | C E G B D | lush, dreamy |
| Dominant ninth | C9 | C E G Bb D | funky, bluesy |
| Minor ninth | Cm9 | C Eb G Bb D | smooth, soulful |
The symbol tells you whether a seventh is in there. C9, Cmaj9 and Cm9 all include one, and as with sevenths, a plain 9 means the dominant type with Bb. Cadd9 (C E G D) has the ninth and no seventh, which gives a lighter, brighter chord; sus2 vs sus4 chords (and add9) covers it.
Players often leave a note out. The fifth goes first, and with a bass player covering the root, a keyboard player might play only E, Bb and D for C9: the third, the seventh and the ninth.
In C major, Cmaj9, Dm9, Fmaj9, G9 and Am9 all sound smooth. On E and B, the next scale note up (F and C) is only a half step above the root, so the ninth would be a minor ninth, 13 semitones up, and it clashes. Players usually stop at Em7 and Bm7b5 on those two.
Ninth chords are all over neo-soul, R&B, jazz and funk. Dreamy chord progressions includes an Am9 to Dm9 sway to try.
Gelato Synth’s chord-type row has a 9th setting that switches every pad at once. On Gelato Chord, pushing the color wheel (labeled VOICING) up from Home brings in extensions such as the 9th and 7th.
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