C♭ Minor 9th
Hear the C♭ Minor 9th chord played for you.
C♭m9
C♭ – E♭ – G – B♭ – D
Formula:R-m3-P5-m7-M9
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-m7-M9
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-b7-9
Introduction
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.
The Cb Minor 9th piano chord (Cbm9) consists of the notes Cb, Eb, G, Bb, D. It is a minor 7th chord with an added major 9th, giving it a dark yet lush character widely used in jazz, soul, and R&B progressions. Formula: R-m3-P5-m7-M9 | Scale degrees: 1-b3-5-b7-9.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of Cb Minor 9th (enharmonically equivalent to B Minor 9th) has 2 sharps.
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 diatonic triads built on each degree of the C♭ minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — B Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-m7-M9
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-m7-M9
The C♭ Minor 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♭ Minor 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Practice Tips
- Cbm9 and Bm9 are enharmonic equivalents.
- When you see Cbm9, translate to Bm9 for easier reading.
- The keyboard notes are identical regardless of spelling.
- Understanding both spellings builds enharmonic fluency.
- Drop the fifth for the practical voicing.
- Play the resolution in both spellings to strengthen key literacy.
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.