Scale degrees · C major
The 9 of C is D
The 9 (nine) of C is D: a major ninth above the root.
C — the root, 1D — the 9
How to find it
A 9th is a 2nd an octave up, so it takes the 2nd's letter: C, D.
Then the sound: a major ninth is 14 semitones above C, which is exactly where D is — no sharp or flat needed.
Where you meet it
The 9 is the 2 an octave up: the first extension on almost any chord, major, minor or dominant.
In Cmaj9:
C · E · G · B · D
The 9 in every key
| Key | The 9 |
|---|---|
| C | D |
| G | A |
| D | E |
| A | B |
| E | F♯ |
| B | C♯ |
| F♯ | G♯ |
| D♭ | E♭ |
| A♭ | B♭ |
| E♭ | F |
| B♭ | C |
| F | G |
Every degree of C
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