E seventh flat nine chord (E7(b9)) on piano
The E seventh flat nine chord (E7(b9)) on piano has 5 notes: E, G sharp, B, D, and F (E, G♯, B, D, F). With the right hand, use fingers 1-2-3-4-5; with the left hand, 5-4-3-2-1 (1 is the thumb). On the keyboard below, the root (E) has the strongest color; each key shows the note name and the degree.
- Notes
- EG♯BDF
- Formula
- 135♭7♭9
How to play E7(b9) on piano
Root position · From low to high: E G♯ B D F
Right hand: 1-2-3-4-5 Left hand: 5-4-3-2-1
Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger. The small dot marks middle C (C4). Tap a key to hear the note.
E7(b9) chord inversions
Inverting a chord means putting another of its notes in the bass (the lowest key) without changing the notes. Inversions shorten the way your hand travels from one chord to the next and slightly change the color of the sound.
-
1st inversion (E7(b9)/G#)
E7(b9)/G#: G sharp (3) in the bass
From low to high: G♯ B D E F
-
2nd inversion (E7(b9)/B)
E7(b9)/B: B (5) in the bass
From low to high: B D E F G♯
-
3rd inversion (E7(b9)/D)
E7(b9)/D: D (♭7) in the bass
From low to high: D E F G♯ B
Notes and intervals of E7(b9)
E7(b9) (E seventh flat nine) is built from 5 notes. Each one fills a degree of the chord:
- E · 1 · root
- G♯ · 3 · major third
- B · 5 · perfect fifth
- D · ♭7 · minor seventh
- F · ♭9 · flat ninth
About the seventh flat nine chord
A dominant chord with a flat ninth: maximum tension, with a Spanish and choro flavour. It is the typical V7 that resolves to a minor chord (E7♭9 → Am) and one of the most characteristic sounds of choro, flamenco and jazz.
Other E chords
- E
- Em
- E7
- E7M
- Em7
- Em7(b5)
- E°
- E°7
- E+
- Esus2
- Esus4
- E7sus4
- E5
- Eadd9
- E6
- Em6
- E9
- Em(add9)
- Em9
- E7M(9)
- Em(7M)
- E7M(#5)
- E7(b9)
- E6(9)
- Em6(9)
- E11
- Em11
- E13
- Em13
- E7(#9)
- E7(#11)
- E7(b13)
- E7(#5)
- E7M(#11)
- E9sus4
Seventh flat nine: other roots
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the E7(b9) chord on piano?
E7(b9) (E seventh flat nine) has the notes E, G♯, B, D, F. The formula is 1 · 3 · 5 · ♭7 · ♭9: root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, flat ninth.
How do you play E7(b9) on piano?
Find the E key and add the other notes above it: E, G♯, B, D, F. Play them all together. With the right hand, use fingers 1-2-3-4-5; with the left hand, 5-4-3-2-1.
What are the inversions of E7(b9)?
1st inversion (E7(b9)/G#): G♯ B D E F; 2nd inversion (E7(b9)/B): B D E F G♯; 3rd inversion (E7(b9)/D): D E F G♯ B.
What does E7(b9) mean?
E7(b9) is the chord symbol for E seventh flat nine. A dominant chord with a flat ninth: maximum tension, with a Spanish and choro flavour. It is the typical V7 that resolves to a minor chord (E7♭9 → Am) and one of the most characteristic sounds of choro, flamenco and jazz.
Is the E7(b9) chord the same on piano and keyboard?
Yes. The notes and inversions are the same on any keyboard instrument: acoustic piano, digital piano, keyboard, organ or synthesizer.