E minor ninth chord (Em9) on piano
The E minor ninth chord (Em9) on piano has 5 notes: E, G, B, D, and F sharp (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
- EGBDF♯
- Formula
- 1♭35♭79
How to play Em9 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.
Em9 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 (Em9/G)
Em9/G: G (♭3) in the bass
From low to high: G B D E F♯
-
2nd inversion (Em9/B)
Em9/B: B (5) in the bass
From low to high: B D E F♯ G
-
3rd inversion (Em9/D)
Em9/D: D (♭7) in the bass
From low to high: D E F♯ G B
Notes and intervals of Em9
Em9 (E minor ninth) is built from 5 notes. Each one fills a degree of the chord:
- E · 1 · root
- G · ♭3 · minor third
- B · 5 · perfect fifth
- D · ♭7 · minor seventh
- F♯ · 9 · ninth
About the minor ninth chord
A minor chord with a seventh and a ninth: velvety and modern. Common in neo-soul, R&B, jazz and bossa, as a ii chord or as a "vamp" chord that keeps cycling while the melody wanders.
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
Minor ninth: other roots
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the Em9 chord on piano?
Em9 (E minor ninth) has the notes E, G, B, D, F♯. The formula is 1 · ♭3 · 5 · ♭7 · 9: root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, ninth.
How do you play Em9 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 Em9?
1st inversion (Em9/G): G B D E F♯; 2nd inversion (Em9/B): B D E F♯ G; 3rd inversion (Em9/D): D E F♯ G B.
What does Em9 mean?
Em9 is the chord symbol for E minor ninth. A minor chord with a seventh and a ninth: velvety and modern. Common in neo-soul, R&B, jazz and bossa, as a ii chord or as a "vamp" chord that keeps cycling while the melody wanders.
Is the Em9 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.