Cm9 chord: minor ninth
Cm9 is the minor ninth chord on C: C, Eb, G, Bb and D (1–b3–5–b7–9). Cm9 stacks the root C, the minor third Eb, the perfect fifth G, the minor seventh Bb and the major ninth D. The m9 is the m7 with the ninth.
Notes in Cm9: C – Eb – G – Bb – DFormula: 1 – b3 – 5 – b7 – 9In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.
It deepens the minor sound, with added depth and smoothness.
The same chord on all four instruments
Where to use it
The heart of neo-soul and R&B vamps — that is, those short two-chord passages that loop over and over while the melody floats on top. It also works as the arrival chord in a minor key, smoother and more modern than a plain m7.
Part of the Extended family.