Em9 Guitar Chord
Em9 is a five-note minor ninth chord built from E, G, B, D, F#. The combination of minor seventh and major ninth gives it a lush, sophisticated character widely used in jazz, neo-soul, R&B, and smooth funk. It is one of the most expressive chords in modern harmony.
4 ways to play Em9
Notes
Intervals
E (Root), G (Minor 3rd), B (Perfect 5th), D (Minor 7th), F# (Major 9th)
Found in keys
Notes in the E Minor 9th Chord
The E Minor 9th chord is built from 5 notes: E, G, B, D, F#. It is a minor 9th chord — built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth. On guitar, these notes are voiced across multiple strings simultaneously to create the full chord sound. Depending on the voicing, some notes may be doubled in different octaves to fill out the sound.
Keys That Contain E Minor 9th
Em9 is built on the Em minor chord, which appears diatonically in these keys:
Common Chord Progressions with Em9
E Minor 9th appears in many common progressions. Here are the most-used patterns when Em9 is the tonic minor chord:
Use our chords in a key tool to find all the chords that naturally pair with Em9 in any key.
Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the E Minor 9th chord?
The E Minor 9th chord is made up of E, G, B, D, F#. These 5 notes form a five-note chord structure.
What key is the E Minor 9th chord in?
E Minor 9th naturally appears in the keys of C Major, G Major, D Major. It can also appear in other contexts as a borrowed chord or secondary chord.
How do I play the Em9 chord on guitar?
Place your fingers on the guitar fretboard according to the diagram above. The numbered dots show finger placement (1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring, 4 = pinky), "O" means play the string open, and "X" means mute that string.
Other E Chords
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