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E9 chord on guitar

E9 (E dominant ninth) is E, G♯, B, D and F♯. The easiest way to play it is the open E9 chord, written 020102. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 1st string, 2nd fret. Let the 6th, 4th and 2nd strings ring open.

E9

E dominant ninth · E G♯ B D F♯ · 1 3 5 ♭7 9

  • Open position

    Open chord

    214EBDG♯BF♯

    020102

  • 6th fret

    Root on the 5th string

    6fr21333EG♯DF♯B

    x76777

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are E, the root.

How to play E9

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open chord · Open position

    020102
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 1st string, 2nd fret.
    • Let the 6th, 4th and 2nd strings ring open.

  2. 2. Root on the 5th string · 6th fret

    x76777
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 6th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 7th fret.
    • Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 3rd to 1st strings at the 7th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Notes in the E9 chord

E9 is E, G♯, B, D and F♯, and it sounds full and funky, a seventh chord with more colour. From E, count 4 half steps up to G♯, 3 more to B, 3 more to D and 4 more to F♯. Its formula is 1 3 5 ♭7 9. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with E lowest. See its inversions and keys on the E9 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after E9

Ax02220E9 is the V9 of A: it resolves there like a V7, with more colour.Amx02210The same pull into Am, home in the minor key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on E

EEmE7Emaj7Em7Esus2Esus4Eadd9E6EdimEm7♭5Edim7Eaug

Dominant ninth chords on other notes

C9C♯9D9E♭9F9F♯9G9A♭9A9B♭9B9

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play E9 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open E9 chord, written 020102. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 1st string, 2nd fret. Let the 6th, 4th and 2nd strings ring open.

What notes are in the E9 chord?

E9 is E, G♯, B, D and F♯. In the shape written 020102, the 6th to 1st strings play E, B, D, G♯, B and F♯.

Is E9 a barre chord?

No: none of its shapes here needs a barre.

How many ways can you play E9 on guitar?

This page shows two: 020102 (open position) and x76777 (6th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with E9?

Yes. “Make a beat in A major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A major on A E F♯m D, the key where E9 is the V9 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in A major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A major on A E F♯m D, the key where E9 is the V9 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in A majorAll guitar chords

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