G Major Ninth Chord
Chord Tones: G Major Ninth Chord
Symbol: maj9, M9, △9 — Formula: 1-3-5-7-9
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G4 | 391.995 Hz |
| 3 | B4 | 493.883 Hz |
| 5 | D4 | 293.665 Hz |
| 7 | F♯4 | 369.994 Hz |
| 9 | A4 | 440.000 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | Gmaj9 |
| All Common Symbols | maj9, M9, △9 |
| Interval Formula | 1-3-5-7-9 |
| Harmonic Category | lush |
Roman numeral (e.g. I, IV, V) and Nashville Number notation are key-dependent. See Keys pages for chord function within specific keys.
Inversions
| Inversion | Notes (low to high) | Bass Note | Slash Notation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Position | G4 – B4 – D4 – F♯4 – A4 | G | G Major Ninth Chord |
| First Inversion | B4 – D4 – F♯4 – A4 – G4 | B | G Major Ninth Chord/B |
| Second Inversion | D4 – F♯4 – A4 – G4 – B4 | D | G Major Ninth Chord/D |
| Third Inversion | F♯4 – A4 – G4 – B4 – D4 | F♯ | G Major Ninth Chord/F♯ |
| Fourth Inversion | A4 – G4 – B4 – D4 – F♯4 | A | G Major Ninth Chord/A |
Harmonic Function
The G major ninth chord commonly functions as the dominant (V) in C major — strongest resolution point. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides stable harmonic grounding.
The major ninth chord extends the major seventh with a ninth, creating a lush, sophisticated sound central to jazz and R&B. It conveys spaciousness, warmth, and harmonic richness. The G Major Ninth Chord specifically contains 5 notes: G, B, D, F♯, A (formula: 1-3-5-7-9). On guitar, G-rooted chords benefit from the open G, B, and D strings, enabling full-sounding voicings with minimal fretting. Country, bluegrass, and acoustic pop rely heavily on G-rooted chords, which ring with a bright, open quality on steel-string guitars.
Common Progressions
The G Major Ninth Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
Songs Featuring the Major Ninth Chord
Well-known songs where the G Major Ninth Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Nights in White Satin – Moody Blues
- Clair de Lune – Debussy (adapted)
- Once in a While – jazz standard
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| G4 | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| B4 | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| D4 | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| F♯4 | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| A4 | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
Scales Containing the G Major Ninth Chord
These scales include the G Major Ninth Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: