Cm9 chord on ukulele
Cm9 is the minor ninth chord: C, Eb, G, Bb and D (1–b3–5–b7–9). On ukulele, the diagram shape is 5 3 6 5, with Eb in the bass.
On the ukulele, the high reentrant G makes every shape light — and with four strings, every note is exposed. In this Cm9 voicing the bass is Eb and the shape runs from fret 3 to 6. Because this instrument has fewer strings than Cm9 has notes, one note, usually the fifth, is normally dropped without losing the chord's identity. Its soft nylon strings sound warm and mellow, light enough to float gently over a song.
Notes and formula of Cm9
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.
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.
See also
Part of the Extended family.