C Major Ninth Guitar Arpeggio
Guitar arpeggio — fretboard diagram
C Major Ninth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals
Notes: C, E, G, B, D
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M
Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH
Number of notes: 5
Also known as: maj9, Δ9, ^9
The C Major Ninth arpeggio contains 5 notes (C, E, G, B, D). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
When to Use the C Major Ninth Arpeggio
Play the C Major Ninth arpeggio whenever a C Major Ninth chord appears in a progression. Unlike scales (which include passing tones), arpeggios guarantee every note you play IS a chord tone, making your solo sound harmonically precise and intentional.
Arpeggio vs. Scale
The C Major Ninth arpeggio uses 5 notes (C, E, G, B, D) while the full scale uses 7. The arpeggio is a subset — think of it as the skeleton of the scale. Practice alternating between the arpeggio and the full scale to develop a melodic vocabulary that mixes chord tones with passing tones.
How to Play C Major Ninth Arpeggio on Guitar
Root your C Major Ninth arpeggio at fret 8 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at 3rd fret on the A string. This 5-note arpeggio (C, E, G, B, D) benefits from economy picking, combining sweep and alternate picking motions. Practice isolating two-string pairs to build coordination before linking the full shape.
The C Major Ninth arpeggio outlines a C major chord and works perfectly over C, Cmaj7, C6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.
Practice Routine
Start by playing the C Major Ninth arpeggio ascending and descending at 60 BPM, one note per beat, using a metronome. Once even and confident, play it in eighth notes, then triplets, keeping each note articulate. Spend at least 5 minutes daily on this before moving to musical application.
Guitar Tips
Try playing the C Major Ninth arpeggio on guitar by superimposing it over the corresponding C major barre chord shape. This visual connection between chord and arpeggio helps you find arpeggio tones instantly during improvisation.
Related Resources
Explore C Major Ninth in Other Tunings
- C Major Ninth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Major Ninth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- C Major Ninth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- C Major Ninth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- C Major Ninth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- C Major Ninth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- C Major Ninth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- C Major Ninth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- C Major Ninth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- C Major Ninth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- C Major Ninth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- C Major Ninth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- C Major Ninth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- C Major Ninth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)