The C♭ Minor 9th chord is a five-note chord made up of C♭, E♭♭, G♭, B♭♭, and D♭. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth.
Construction
C♭ Minor 9th = Root + Minor 3rd + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th + Major 2nd = C♭ · E♭♭ · G♭ · B♭♭ · D♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C♭ | Root | 1 |
| E♭♭ | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| G♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| B♭♭ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
| D♭ | Major 2nd | 9 |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the C♭ Minor 9th is the tonic (i) chord of Cb Minor, which shares the signature of its relative major, D Major — 2 sharps (F♯, C♯).
F♯C♯
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 C♭ Minor
These are the triads built on each degree of the C♭ minor scale:
C♭ Minor 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the C♭ Minor 9th chord on piano?
The C♭ Minor 9th chord contains the notes C♭ – E♭♭ – G♭ – B♭♭ – D♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Cb Minor 9th chord?
The Cb Minor 9th chord (Cbm9) contains five notes: Cb (root), Ebb (minor third, enharmonically D), Gb (perfect fifth), Bbb (minor seventh, enharmonically A), and Db (major ninth). Enharmonic equivalent of Bm9.
How does Cbm9 differ from Cb9?
Cbm9 has a minor third. Cb9 has a major third. In practice, Bm9/B9 are preferred.
How is Cbm9 used in music?
Cbm9 is the enharmonic equivalent of Bm9. Musicians use Bm9 in practice.
What songs use Minor 9th chords?
Minor 9th chords define neo-soul and lo-fi. The sound is identical regardless of spelling.
How does Cbm9 differ from Cbm7?
Cbm9 adds the ninth (Db) for richer colour.
Do I need to play all five notes?
No — drop the fifth for a cleaner voicing.