B Major 9th
Hear the B Major 9th chord played for you.
Bmaj9
B – D♯ – F♯ – A♯ – C♯
Formula:R-M3-P5-M7-M9
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-M7-M9
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-7-9
Introduction
The B Major 9th chord is a five-note chord made up of B, D♯, F♯, A♯, and C♯. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, major seventh, and major ninth.
The B Major 9th piano chord (Bmaj9) consists of the notes B, D#, F#, A#, C#. It is a major 7th chord with an added major 9th, giving it a lush, sophisticated character often used in jazz, R&B, and neo-soul progressions. Formula: R-M3-P5-M7-M9 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-7-9.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of B Major 9th has 5 sharps.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of B Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the B major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — B Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-M7-M9
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-M7-M9
The B Major 9th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-M7-M9 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-M7-M9 show the distance between each note in the chord.
B Major 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the B Major 9th chord?
The B Major 9th chord (Bmaj9) contains five notes: B (root), D# (major third), F# (perfect fifth), A# (major seventh), and C# (major ninth). It is Bmaj7 with an added ninth.
How does Bmaj9 differ from B9?
Bmaj9 has a major seventh (A#). B9 has a minor seventh (A). Bmaj9 is dreamy; B9 is dominant.
How is Bmaj9 used in music?
Bmaj9 is a lush tonic in B Major. It appears in contemporary jazz, fusion, and J-pop.
What songs use Major 9th chords?
Major 9th chords appear in neo-soul, jazz, and lo-fi music.
How does Bmaj9 differ from Badd9?
Bmaj9 includes the major seventh (A#). Badd9 has no seventh.
Do I need to play all five notes?
No — drop the fifth: B–D#–A#–C# is the practical voicing.
Practice Tips
- Play Bmaj7 then add C# — hear the lush expansion.
- Drop the fifth: B–D#–A#–C# is standard.
- Bmaj9 has a distinctive mostly-black-keys shape.
- Practice C#m9 → F#13 → Bmaj9 for the ii–V–I in B.
- Bmaj9 and Cbmaj9 are enharmonic — practice both.
- Rootless: D#–F#–A#–C# for jazz comping.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.