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E9 Chord

E9 is a dominant seventh plus F sharp, the ninth. Its full spelling has five different notes, so a practical guitar or ukulele grip may leave out a less essential chord tone.

  • Notes: E-G sharp-B-D-F sharp
  • Symbol: E9
  • V9 in A major
  • Seventh and ninth
Switch chordE9

How to play an E9 chord

Notes: E - G# - B - D - F# ยท symbol E9

  • Root position

    E - G# - B - D - F#
    C4C5C6

  • 1st inversion

    G# - B - D - F# - E
    C4C5C6

  • 2nd inversion

    B - D - F# - E - G#
    C4C5C6

  • 3rd inversion

    D - F# - E - G# - B
    C4C5C6

Where does E9 belong?

In A major, E9 extends the V7 chord before it resolves to the tonic.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In A majorDominant with a ninth
    V9

    A V7 with the ninth on top: the same pull to A, a fuller sound.

    AIDIVE9V9AI
  • In E bluesFunk and blues home
    I9

    In funk and blues this is a home chord that never has to resolve.

    E9I9A9IV9E9I9B9V9

Progressions to try

  • ADE9A

    E9 is V9 in A major; its seventh keeps the dominant pull while the ninth adds another voice.

  • E9A9E9B9

    Treat the repeated E9 as a blues home chord, then hear the other ninth chords answer it.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, the open shape 020102 is the easiest place to start. The barre shape 12-14-12-13-12-14, at the 12th fret, moves the chord up the neck and sits well between other barre chords.

On ukulele, start with 7647, played at the 4th fret. 9-8-10-9 gives a higher version.

On piano, spread the five-note spelling across both hands: E-G sharp-B-D-F sharp. Move E up an octave to reach the first inversion, G sharp-B-D-F sharp-E; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

The first four notes, E-G sharp-B-D, form the dominant seventh. F sharp adds the ninth.

  • Root position: E-G sharp-B-D-F sharp, with E lowest.
  • First inversion: G sharp-B-D-F sharp-E, written E9/G# if G sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: B-D-F sharp-E-G sharp, written E9/B if B is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: D-F sharp-E-G sharp-B, written E9/D if D is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Fourth inversion: F sharp-E-G sharp-B-D, written E9/F# if F sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does E9 differ from E7?

Remove the ninth, F sharp, and the remaining notes form E7. The seventh stays, so both chords can still pull toward the same tonic. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See E7 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • E9

    E - G# - B - D - F#
    C4C5

    E dominant 9

  • E7

    E - G# - B - D
    C4C5

    E dominant 7

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