13.23The chord symbol is increasingly becoming a menu
When you see:
Cmaj9
the important information is:
- C is root
- major 3rd
- major 7th
- 9th is available/characteristic
You don't necessarily need:
C E G B D
every time.
You might play:
C + E-B-D
or:
C-G + B-D-E
or another voicing.
The chord symbol defines the harmonic universe.
Your hands choose the realization.