How to play E7b9: a dominant 7th flat 9 built on E, with 1 voicing, the notes, the keys it belongs to, and songs that use it.
The first diagram is a common voicing: played at the first few frets. An X above a string means don't play it; an O means play it open.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x x 2 1 3 1 (x = not played).
| Note | E | G# | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | R | 3 | b7 | b9 |
E7b9 is a dominant 7th flat 9 with E as its root. The full theoretical spelling is E, G#, B, D, F. This voicing omits the 5th, the tone guitarists drop first when fitting a chord onto six strings.
E7b9 is a diatonic chord (built from the key's own notes) in 0 major keys and 1 minor key. The roman numeral is the chord's place in that key; tap a key for all of its chords.
All tools are free with no download. Customize the fingering, print it, or drop it straight into a chart.
🤲 Play E7b9 a way we don't show? Suggest your voicing and it may join the library (with a thank-you in your inbox).
E7b9 is spelled E, G#, B, D, F: the root, 3rd, 5th, flat 7th, flat 9th. The common guitar voicing sounds E, G#, D, F, leaving out the 5th.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x x 2 1 3 1 (x means the string is not played). Lay your index finger across the 1st fret from the G string to the high E string (a barre). Add the D string at the 2nd fret. Add the B string at the 3rd fret. Strum from the D string down; the low E and A strings stay silent.
E7b9 belongs to one key: A minor (the V, from the harmonic minor).
