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Using the Major 9th Chord

Listen again to the sound of the Major 9th chord:

Unlike the 9th chord, the Major 9th chord is a chord we usually resolve to. Listen to this common usage of the Major 9th chord:

 In this example, we are in the key of F Major. Therefore, F Major is our root chord. In bar 1, the strings play an F Major 9 chord.

The g minor 7th chord in bar 2 brings an unresolved moment to the music. But the return of the F Major 9 chord in bar 3 brings back resolution to the music.

Therefore, the Major 9th chord - when it is the root chord - is a chord we resolve to. This is different from the plain 9th chord, which usually wants to lead us to another chord.