Piano chord
E9E dominant ninth
- E1
- G♯3
- B5
- D♭7
- F♯9
- Notes
- 5
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 14semitones
- Fingers
- 5 + 1-3-5
How to play E9 on piano
- Find E: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Left hand: play E with the little finger (5), an octave below the right hand.
- Right hand: 1 on G♯, 3 on D, 5 on F♯.
- Leave out B: the chord is still recognisable without it, and the hand stays relaxed.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · E – G♯ – B – D – F♯
1st inversion · G♯ – B – D – F♯ – E
2nd inversion · B – D – F♯ – E – G♯
3rd inversion · D – F♯ – E – G♯ – B
This chord has more notes than one hand holds comfortably; see the two-hand voicing below.
E9 inversions
E9 can be played in 4 positions. In root position E is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: EE – G♯ – B – D – F♯
- 1st inversionbass: G♯G♯ – B – D – F♯ – E
- 2nd inversionbass: BB – D – F♯ – E – G♯
- 3rd inversionbass: DD – F♯ – E – G♯ – B
E9 with two hands
A practical voicing: the left hand plays E, the right hand plays the colour notes G♯–D–F♯. Notes that can be left out are left out.
E9 on other instruments
About the E9 chord
E dominant ninth has 5 notes: E (1), G♯ (3), B (5), D (♭7), F♯ (9). A dominant ninth: a dominant seventh with the ninth on top. Funky and rich, typical of blues, funk and soul.
On the keyboard, start from E and add the other notes above it: E – G♯ – B – D – F♯. From the lowest to the highest key that is 14 semitones. It is too wide for one hand: play E with the left hand and the rest with the right.
Each inversion of E9 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is G♯ (G♯–B–D–F♯–E). In the 2nd inversion the bass is B (B–D–F♯–E–G♯). In the 3rd inversion the bass is D (D–F♯–E–G♯–B).
E9 is E7 with one note added: F♯.
Questions
What notes are in the E9 chord?
E9 (E dominant ninth) has 5 notes: E (1), G♯ (3), B (5), D (♭7), F♯ (9).
How many inversions does E9 have?
E9 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (E–G♯–B–D–F♯); 1st inversion (G♯–B–D–F♯–E); 2nd inversion (B–D–F♯–E–G♯); 3rd inversion (D–F♯–E–G♯–B).
What is the difference between E9 and E7?
E9 is E7 with one note added: F♯.
Can I play E9 with one hand?
In root position E9 spans 14 semitones, more than an octave. Play the root with the left hand and the upper notes with the right, or leave out the fifth.