E9 Guitar Chord
E9 is a dominant ninth chord. It stacks a major ninth on top of a dominant seventh chord and is a staple of funk and blues. Its notes are E, G#, B, D and F#. Below is one way to play it, with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in E9
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| E | R | Root |
| G# | 3 | Major 3rd |
| B | 5 | Perfect 5th |
| D | b7 | Minor 7th |
| F# | 9 | Major 9th |
Formula: 1–3–5–b7–9
E9 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 2
- Fingers
- – 2 – 1 – 3
How to play E9 (easiest shape)
Shape: Open, tab 0 2 0 1 0 2 (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 2nd fret.
- 4Let the 6th, 4th and 2nd strings ring open.
- 5Strum down from the 6th string to the 1st string.
E9: common questions
- What notes are in the E9 chord?
- E9 has 5 notes: E, G#, B, D and F#. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–b7–9.
- Is there an easier way to play E9?
- The easiest shape on this page is "Open" (0 2 0 1 0 2). It needs no barre: each finger presses just one string.
Related chords
More guitar tools
See all 231 chords in the chord library, find a scale to play over them, or tune up before you start.