E Major 9th
Hear the E Major 9th chord played for you.
Emaj9
E – G♯ – B – D♯ – F♯
Formula:R-M3-P5-M7-M9
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-M7-M9
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-7-9
Introduction
The E Major 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, major seventh, and major ninth.
The E Major 9th piano chord (Emaj9) consists of the notes E, G#, B, D#, F#. It is a major 7th chord with an added major 9th, giving it a lush, sophisticated character often used in jazz, R&B, and neo-soul progressions. Formula: R-M3-P5-M7-M9 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-7-9.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of E Major 9th has 4 sharps.
F♯C♯G♯D♯
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 E Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the E major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — E Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-M7-M9
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-M7-M9
The E Major 9th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-M7-M9 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-M7-M9 show the distance between each note in the chord.
E Major 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the E Major 9th chord?
The E Major 9th chord (Emaj9) contains five notes: E (root), G# (major third), B (perfect fifth), D# (major seventh), and F# (major ninth). It is Emaj7 with an added ninth.
How does Emaj9 differ from E9?
Emaj9 has a major seventh (D#). E9 has a minor seventh (D). Emaj9 is dreamy; E9 is dominant and bluesy.
How is Emaj9 used in music?
Emaj9 is a lush tonic in E Major. It appears in contemporary jazz, fusion, dream pop, and atmospheric music.
What songs use Major 9th chords?
Major 9th chords are signature sounds of neo-soul, jazz, lo-fi, and dream pop.
How does Emaj9 differ from Eadd9?
Emaj9 includes the major seventh (D#). Eadd9 has no seventh.
Do I need to play all five notes?
No — drop the fifth: E–G#–D#–F# is the practical voicing.
Practice Tips
- Play Emaj7 then add F# — hear the lush ninth expand the chord.
- Drop the fifth: E–G#–D#–F# is standard.
- Emaj9 in dream pop and shoegaze: sustain with reverb for atmospheric effect.
- Practice F#m9 → B13 → Emaj9 for the jazz ii–V–I in E.
- Rootless: G#–B–D#–F# for comping.
- Compare Emaj9 with Eadd9 — the major seventh adds warmth.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.