How do you play the C maj9/A chord?

To play the C maj9/A chord on piano, play the C maj9 chord (C, E, G, B and D) with A as the lowest bass note. Place the A note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The C maj9/A chord means a C maj9 chord with A in the bass.

C maj9/A

Q: What notes are in the C maj9/A chord?

The C maj9/A chord uses the 5 notes of the C maj9 chord — C (Perfect unison), E (Major third), G (Perfect fifth), B (Major seventh) and D (Major ninth) — with A played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The C maj9 chord consists of the C (Perfect unison), E (Major third), G (Perfect fifth), B (Major seventh) and D (Major ninth) notes, with A as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a C maj9/A chord

How to play the C maj9/A chord

Play A as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find C (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add E (Major third) — 4 semitones above C
Add G (Perfect fifth) — 7 semitones above C
Add B (Major seventh) — 11 semitones above C
Add D (Major ninth) — 14 semitones above C
Press all 6 notes simultaneously to sound the C maj9/A chord

Related chords with same root

A m11

Related chords with different root

C maj13

Related slash chords

E m7(b13)/A