E7#9 Guitar Chord
E7#9 is a dominant seventh sharp nine (7#9) chord. It is a dominant seventh with a sharp ninth on top. The sharp ninth rubs against the major third for the gritty sound heard in rock and funk. Its notes are E, G#, B, D and F## (= G). Below are 2 ways to play it, each with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in E7#9
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| E | R | Root |
| G# | 3 | Major 3rd |
| B | 5 | Perfect 5th |
| D | b7 | Minor 7th |
| F## (= G) | #9 | Augmented 9th |
Formula: 1–3–5–b7–#9
F## is the correct spelling of this note in this chord. On the guitar it is the same pitch as G.
E7#9 chord shapes
Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.
Open
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 0 2 0 1 0 3
- Fingers
- – 2 – 1 – 3
A-shape 7fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 7 6 7 8 x
- Fingers
- – 2 1 3 4 –
How to play E7#9 (easiest shape)
Shape: Open, tab 0 2 0 1 0 3 (6th to 1st string).
- 1Put your index finger (1) on the 3rd string at the 1st fret.
- 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 5th string at the 2nd fret.
- 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 1st string at the 3rd fret.
- 4Let the 6th, 4th and 2nd strings ring open.
- 5Strum down from the 6th string to the 1st string.
E7#9: common questions
- What notes are in the E7#9 chord?
- E7#9 has 5 notes: E, G#, B, D and F## (= G). Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–b7–#9.
- Is there an easier way to play E7#9?
- The easiest shape on this page is "Open" (0 2 0 1 0 3). It needs no barre: each finger presses just one string.
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