The Cm9 guitar chord (C minor 9th) is a lush and expressive chord that adds a sophisticated touch to minor progressions. It’s commonly used in jazz, soul, and R&B, creating a rich, complex sound. This guide will cover how to play the Cm9 chord, variations, common mistakes, and more.
What is a Cm9 Guitar Chord?
The Cm9 chord is a minor chord with added extensions: the minor seventh and the ninth. It combines the elements of a basic minor chord with the additional notes to provide a deeper, more nuanced sound.
Cm9 Formula:
- Root (C)
- Minor third (E♭)
- Perfect fifth (G)
- Minor seventh (B♭)
- Ninth (D)
How to Play the Cm9 Guitar Chord
The Cm9 chord is a soulful, versatile chord that shines in jazz, R&B, and beyond. With its rich voicings and variations, it adds depth and emotion to any progression. Explore its forms to unlock your music’s full potential!
Cm9 Open Voicing
This open voicing provides a rich and full sound, making it ideal for soulful ballads or mellow accompaniments. The barre shape adds depth, and the 9th note introduces a jazzy edge.
How to Play:
- Barre the 3rd fret of the G, B, and high E strings with your ring finger.
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the D string (Eb note).
- Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the A string (C note).
- Strum from the A string downward, avoiding the low E string for a clean tone.
Cm9 Barre Voicing
This barre voicing is smooth and compact, perfect for jazz or R&B rhythm playing. Its resonance makes it ideal for comping and transitions.
How to Play:
- Barre the 8th fret of the low E, D, G, B, and high E strings with your index finger.
- Place your ring finger on the 10th fret of the high E string (D note).
- Ensure the A string is muted by lightly touching it with your index finger.
- Strum all strings except the A string.
Cm9 Jazz Voicing
This shape offers a more compact, mellow tone, perfect for jazz comping or smooth chord progressions. Muting the low E and high E strings helps create focus and clarity.
How to Play:
- Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the A string (C note).
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the D string (Eb note).
- Use your ring finger to barre the 3rd fret of the G and B strings.
- Mute the low E and high E strings.
Cm9 Funk Voicing
This voicing delivers a bright, funky sound and is great for rhythmic grooves. It’s a popular shape for genres like funk and neo-soul.
How to Play:
- Place your index finger on the 3rd fret of the A string (C note).
- Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the D string (G note).
- Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the G string (Eb note).
- Place your pinky on the 4th fret of the B string (Bb note).
- Place your index finger on the 3rd fret of the high E string (D note).
When to Use the Cm9 Chord
- Jazz Standards: Cm9 fits perfectly into ii-V-I progressions like Cm9 → F9 → Bbmaj7.
- Soul and R&B: Its rich tone adds emotion to songs, making it ideal for intros, outros, or bridges.
- Pop Ballads: Use it in place of a standard Cm chord for added depth and color.
- Funk Grooves: Its smooth, rhythmic sound works well in funky chord stabs.
Songs Featuring or Suited for the Cm9 Guitar Chord
The Cm9 chord is versatile and can be heard across multiple genres, from jazz to funk and R&B. Here are some examples of songs where it fits beautifully, along with suggested progressions.
“Summertime” – George Gershwin
Why It Works:
A jazz standard, “Summertime” thrives on minor and extended chords like Cm9 to create its dreamy, bluesy atmosphere.
How to Use:
Replace Cm or Cm7 chords with Cm9 for a smoother, jazzier sound.
Suggested Progression: Cm9 → F7 → Bbmaj7 → G7
“Creep” – Radiohead
Why It Works:
Though this song uses straightforward chords, substituting Cm with Cm9 adds sophistication, especially for an acoustic rendition.
How to Use:
Play Cm9 in the verse progression: G → Cm9 → Bb → Ab for a richer tone.
“Ain’t No Sunshine” – Bill Withers
Why It Works:
The soulful vibe of this song is enhanced by minor 9 chords. Cm9 can add a jazzy twist to the groove.
How to Use:
Use Cm9 as the primary chord in a progression like: Cm9 → Gm9 → Bbmaj7 → Fmaj7.
Strumming lightly or fingerpicking will bring out the chord’s soulful quality.
“Chameleon” – Herbie Hancock
Why It Works:
As a jazz-funk instrumental, this track uses rich voicings like Cm9 to create its signature groove.
How to Use:
Cm9 acts as the foundational chord. A possible loop:
Cm9 → Eb9 → Abmaj7 → F9.
Emphasize rhythmic stabs and muting for a funky feel.
“September” – Earth, Wind & Fire
Why It Works:
This iconic funk song is all about rhythmic grooves and jazzy chords. Substituting Cm7 with Cm9 makes the progression even richer.
How to Use:
Use Cm9 → F9 → Bbmaj7 in the verse or chorus to maintain the song’s upbeat energy.
“Smooth Operator” – Sade
Why It Works:
This sultry jazz-infused track heavily uses extended chords, and Cm9 fits seamlessly into its luxurious vibe.
How to Use:
Play Cm9 → Abmaj7 → G7 → Fm7 for a stylish reinterpretation of the verse progression.
“So What” – Miles Davis
Why It Works:
A cornerstone of modal jazz, this piece relies on minor chords with rich voicings. Cm9 is ideal for achieving the lush sound of the track.
How to Use:
Play Cm9 → Dm9 as part of the modal progression. Focus on slow, spacious voicings with a clean or slightly warm tone.
Tips for Using Cm9 in Progressions
- Experiment with ii-V-I Progressions:
For example, Cm9 → F9 → Bbmaj7 is a classic jazz progression. - Funk and R&B Grooves:
Use Cm9 in rhythmic stabs or syncopated strumming patterns. Pair it with chords like F9 and Bb9 for a classic neo-soul vibe. - Fingerpicking:
Cm9 sounds gorgeous with arpeggios. Try picking the strings individually to highlight its lush tones.
The Cm9 chord is a versatile and emotive addition to your guitar repertoire, perfect for creating lush, soulful melodies and intricate progressions. Whether you’re jamming to jazz standards or crafting heartfelt ballads, mastering this chord will elevate your playing. For more tips, tutorials, and inspiration, explore AGuitar Blog—your go-to source for everything guitar. Keep practicing, stay creative, and let the music flow!
SEE ALSO RELATED C CHORDS