C♭ Major 9th
Hear the C♭ Major 9th chord played for you.
C♭maj9
C♭ – E – G – B – D
Formula:R-M3-P5-M7-M9
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-M7-M9
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-7-9
Introduction
The C♭ Major 9th chord is a five-note chord made up of C♭, E, G, B, and D. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, major seventh, and major ninth.
The Cb Major 9th piano chord (Cbmaj9) consists of the notes Cb, E, G, B, D. 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 Cb Major 9th has 7 flats.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Order of flats
Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Chords in the Key of C♭ Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the C♭ 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 C♭ 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.
C♭ Major 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Cb Major 9th chord?
The Cb Major 9th chord (Cbmaj9) contains five notes: Cb (root), Eb (major third), Gb (perfect fifth), Bb (major seventh), and Db (major ninth). Enharmonic equivalent of Bmaj9.
How does Cbmaj9 differ from Cb9?
Cbmaj9 has a major seventh (Bb). Cb9 has a minor seventh. In practice, Bmaj9/B9 are preferred.
How is Cbmaj9 used in music?
Cbmaj9 is the enharmonic equivalent of Bmaj9. Musicians use Bmaj9 in practice.
What songs use Major 9th chords?
Major 9th chords appear in neo-soul, jazz, and lo-fi. The sound is identical regardless of spelling.
How does Cbmaj9 differ from Cbadd9?
Cbmaj9 includes the major seventh (Bb). Cbadd9 has no seventh.
Do I need to play all five notes?
No — drop the fifth for a cleaner voicing.
Practice Tips
- Cbmaj9 and Bmaj9 are enharmonic equivalents.
- When you see Cbmaj9, translate to Bmaj9 for easier reading.
- Play both spellings to build enharmonic fluency.
- The keyboard notes are identical regardless of spelling.
- Drop the fifth for the practical four-note voicing.
- Understanding Cbmaj9 strengthens your flat-key theory.
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.