Simpedia

Mark M., New York

A true Cmaj9 is CEGBD. Maj9 adds the maj7 interval (B in this case) and the maj9 interval (D in this case).

A true C6/9 is CEGAD. 6/9 adds the maj6 interval (A in this case) and the maj9 interval (D in this case).

In the Simply Music Accompaniment program, we don’t always play true, full chords, we play “voicings” of the chords, rearranging the order of the notes and/or leaving certain notes out. SM-like voicings for these two chords you’ve asked about might be as follows:

maj9: finger 1 down a half step, and also add finger 2 a whole step up from the root (i.e., this is like combining the Acc 1 maj7 and add9 chords).

6/9: Same as maj9 above except move finger 1 down 1.5 steps instead of just a half step.

Here’s a place where you can learn a huge amount about most of the chord symbols you’re likely to come across. Not everything you’ll ever want to know, but a tremendous starting point:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chord_names_and_symbols_(popular_music)

Laurie Richards, Nebraska

Regarding the 6/9 chord: I remember reading somewhere it would not include the 7th. Including the 7th essentially makes it a 13th chord. That may be one of those contentious areas, I’m not sure.

At any rate, here’s another easy way to voice a 6/9 chord:

LH: root
RH: 3-6-9 (built on 4ths)

C6/9 would be C in LH, E-A-D in RH