The E Minor 9th chord is a five-note chord made up of E, G, B, D, and F♯. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, and major ninth.
Construction
E Minor 9th = Root + Minor 3rd + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th + Major 2nd = E · G · B · D · F♯
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| E | Root | 1 |
| G | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| B | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| D | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
| F♯ | Major 2nd | 9 |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the E Minor 9th is the tonic (i) chord of E Minor, which shares the signature of its relative major, G Major — 1 sharp (F♯).
F♯
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 Minor
These are the triads built on each degree of the E minor scale:
E Minor 9th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the E Minor 9th chord on piano?
The E Minor 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 Minor 9th chord?
The E Minor 9th chord (Em9) contains five notes: E (root), G (minor third), B (perfect fifth), D (minor seventh), and F# (major ninth). It is Em7 with an added ninth.
How does Em9 differ from E9?
Em9 has a minor third (G). E9 has a major third (G#). Em9 is dark and smooth; E9 is dominant and bluesy.
How is Em9 used in music?
Em9 is the ii in D Major (Em9–A13–Dmaj9) and the iii in C Major. It appears in folk-jazz, neo-soul, and lo-fi.
What songs use Minor 9th chords?
Minor 9th chords define neo-soul and lo-fi. Em9 crosses into folk and acoustic music because E minor is so common.
How does Em9 differ from Em7?
Em9 adds the ninth (F#) for richer colour and openness.
Do I need to play all five notes?
No — drop the fifth: E–G–D–F# is practical.