Em9 chord
E minor ninth. One shape on the neck below, with the notes it's built from and the keys it belongs to.
Notes
- E
- 1
- G
- b3
- B
- 5
- D
- b7
- F#
- 9
The minor third is what makes it sound sad or dark.
The minor seventh adds a bluesy edge and leaves the chord sounding unfinished.
The 9th adds color on top without changing whether it's major or minor.
How to play Em9
- Root on A
- x7577x
Want to know why this chord works where it does? The Intermediate lessons cover it, and founding players get them first.
Keys with Em9
Em9 uses only notes from E minor, B minor, G major and D major. It sounds most at home in E minor.