The E Dominant 9th chord is a five-note chord made up of E, G♯, B, D, and F♯. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth.
Construction
E Dominant 9th = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th + Major 2nd = E · G♯ · B · D · F♯
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| E | Root | 1 |
| G♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| B | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| D | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
| F♯ | Major 2nd | 9 |
Key Signature
A dominant chord points home to the key a fifth below its root: the E Dominant 9th is the V (dominant) of A Major, so the relevant key signature is that key’s — 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯). Spelled as a scale, these notes are E Mixolydian.
F♯C♯G♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of A Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the A major scale:
E Dominant 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the E Dominant 9th chord on piano?
The E Dominant 9th chord contains the notes E – G♯ – B – D – F♯. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the E Dominant 9th chord?
The E Dominant 9th chord (E9) contains 5 notes: E, G#, B, D, F#. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9.
How is E9 used in music?
E9 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for E9?
E9 uses scale degrees 1-3-5-b7-9, giving it its distinctive sound.