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.
Construction
E Major 9th = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 7th + Major 2nd = E · G♯ · B · D♯ · F♯
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| E | Root | 1 |
| G♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| B | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| D♯ | Major 7th | 7 |
| F♯ | Major 2nd | 9 |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the E Major 9th is the tonic (I) chord of E Major, whose key signature has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯).
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 triads built on each degree of the E major scale:
E Major 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the E Major 9th chord on piano?
The E Major 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 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.