How to play Em9: a minor 9th built on E, with 4 ways to play it, the notes, the keys it belongs to, and songs that use it.
The first diagram is a common voicing: an open-position shape using 3 open strings, played near the nut. 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: 0 2 4 0 3 0 (x = not played). Fingers: 0 1 3 0 2 0 (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky, T thumb).
This fingering is one good option, not the only one. If another finger feels more comfortable for your hand, or sets up the chord before or after more easily, use it.
| Note | E | G | B | D | F# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | R | b3 | 5 | b7 | 9 |
Em9 is a minor 9th with E as its root. The full theoretical spelling is E, G, B, D, F#. This voicing sounds every chord tone.
Em9 is a diatonic chord (built from the key's own notes) in 2 major keys and 2 minor keys. The roman numeral is the chord's place in that key; tap a key for all of its chords.
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Em9 is spelled E, G, B, D, F#: the root, minor 3rd, 5th, flat 7th, 9th. The common guitar voicing sounds every one of them.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: 0 2 4 0 3 0 (x means the string is not played). Fingers: 0 1 3 0 2 0 (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky, T thumb). Put your 1st finger (index) on the A string at the 2nd fret. Your 2nd finger (middle) goes on the B string at the 3rd fret. Your 3rd finger (ring) goes on the D string at the 4th fret. The low E, G and high E strings ring open. Strum all six strings. The fingering is one good option; if another finger feels more comfortable or suits the chords around it, use that.
Em9 belongs to 4 keys: D major (the ii chord), G major (the vi chord), E minor (the i) and B minor (the iv).
