Cm9b5

General info

Full name

C Minor 9b5

Symbol

Cm9b5

Root

C

Quality

Minor 9b5

Chord notes

Functions & resolutions

Stability / tension

Stable — can serve as major tonic

Most common resolutions

FF MajorGG MajorAmA Minor

Unstable degrees

4F

b5F#

resolves inward to the 4th

4F

b7A#

resolves down to the resolution tonic

Main resolution

Cm9b5source

GG Major

Major chord C is a stable tonic. As tonic it doesn't require resolution, but in a progression context typically moves to IV or V.

Other resolutions

Cm9b5source

Deceptive resolution

AmA Minor

As the V degree, a major chord can defy expectations by moving to vi instead of I (deceptive cadence).

Cm9b5source

Modal resolution

A#A# Major

In modal context, a major chord can freely move to bVII, bIII, or bVI — characteristic of Mixolydian mode.

Cm9b5source

Jazz reharmonization

Cmaj7C Major 7

In jazz, a major chord is enriched to maj7, 6/9, or add9 and can smoothly transition into a ii-V of another key (modulation).

Cm9b5source

Functional resolution

GG Major

As the IV degree (subdominant), a major chord can resolve to V or directly to I (plagal cadence).

Features

Character

Half-diminished, with an added 9th

Characteristic interval

Diminished 5th (b5), 9th

Description

The minor 3rd, diminished 5th, and minor 7th form a half-diminished seventh chord; the major 9th adds a diatonic extension. The b5 dissonance preserves the instability of the core.

Application

• ii-V in minor (extended)
• Modern jazz
• Substitute for m7b5 with ninth

Voicing & structure

Harmony

Typical progressions

I-V-vi-IV

C—G—Am—F

Pop

Compatible scales

All chord tones are contained in these scales — use them for improvisation.