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Major 9th Chord

Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 7:14 pm
by carpet
Hey,

I have a question about Major 9th Chords.

Must a Major 9th chord always contain a Major 7th within it, and if so, why must it?

Re: Major 9th Chord

Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 7:23 pm
by carpet
Actually, I can answer my own question - the 7th is optional. You can substitute it for the 5th. (I think)

Re: Major 9th Chord

Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 9:05 pm
by haoli25
Since you are "Stacking thirds", for a true Major 9th Chord you DO need the 7th.

As for the reason WHY, I blame Pierre (cosmic mechanic). I believe he and his Intergalactic Council passed some sort of rule aeons ago about major 9th chords. :laugh: :silly: ;)



Bill

Re: Major 9th Chord

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 8:10 am
by kelemenj
That's a good question. I would say yes if only due to the fact that by naming a chord Maj9, there is an implication of a major 7th rather than a dominant 7th. (i.e Dmaj9 opposed to D9). On the other hand, the Maj9 may be named that way because it is the tonic chord. I would say to play it however sounds best to you. So I guess I don't know either. :unsure:

Re: Major 9th Chord

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 1:34 pm
by bwjohnson
If you don't have the 7th, it becomes an add 2 instead. So with the 7th, add the 2nd gives you a 9, without the 7th, you have an add 2