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E 6th add 9 chord on guitar (E6/9)
Also called or written E6/9, E6add9, E 6th Add 9th or E 6th 9
E 6th add 9 contains E, G♯, B, C♯, and F♯. The 6th fret grip mutes the low E string and barres the D and G strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6, 9
- Root positionE–G♯–B–C♯–F♯E6/9×-7-6-6-7-7
- First inversionG♯–B–C♯–F♯–EE6/9/G♯4-2-2-4-2-2
- Second inversionB–C♯–F♯–E–G♯E6/9/B7-7-6-6-7-×
- Third inversionC♯–F♯–E–G♯–BE6/9/C♯×-4-4-4-5-4
- Fourth inversionF♯–E–G♯–B–C♯E6/9/F♯2-2-2-4-2-4
How do you play an E 6th add 9 chord on guitar?
E 6th add 9 is played at the 6th fret as × 7 6 6 7 7: barre your index finger across fret 6, middle finger on the A string at fret 7, ring finger on the B string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 7. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (1) |
| 4 (D) | 6 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (3) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (6) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 3 | F♯ (2) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 4 | B (5) |
AdvancedThe index barre must fret the D and G strings cleanly while the middle finger reaches the A string at the 7th fret.
11th fret
E 6th add 9 is played at the 11th fret as 12 11 11 11 12 12: barre your index finger across fret 11, middle finger on the low E string at fret 12, ring finger on the B string at fret 12 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 12.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 12 | 2 | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | 11 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | 11 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (6) |
| 3 (G) | 11 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (2) |
| 2 (B) | 12 | 3 | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | 12 | 4 | E (1) |
E6add9/G♯ inversion · 4-2-2-4-2-2
E 6th add 9 is played at the 2nd fret as 4 2 2 4 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, ring finger on the low E string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4 | 3 | G♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 4 | B (5) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (6) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (2) |
E6add9/G♯ inversion · 4-4-2-4-2-2
E 6th add 9 is played at the 2nd fret as 4 4 2 4 2 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the low E string at fret 4, ring finger on the A string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 3 | C♯ (6) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 4 | B (5) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (6) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (2) |
E6add9/G♯ inversion · 4-4-4-4-5-4
E 6th add 9 is played at the 4th fret as 4 4 4 4 5 4: barre your index finger across fret 4 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (6) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (2) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 4 | E (1) |
| 1 (e) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (3) |
Why it sounds like that
E 6th add 9 is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 6, 9. The major 6th and major 2nd add color to the major triad. Compare it to E 6th, which omits the 9th.
What goes wrong with E 6th add 9?
- Let the low E string sound by not muting it properly.
- Allow the index barre to lift off the G string, causing a dead note.
When to use it
Use E 6th add 9 as the tonic in E major progressions like E–A–B–E (I–IV–V–I). It works well in rock, blues, and country.
Changing to and from E 6th add 9
- Slide the shape down two frets to the 4th fret to play D 6th add 9.
- Slide the shape down one fret to the 5th fret to play E♭ 6th add 9.
Which voicing to use
The 6th fret position keeps E in the bass. The E6add9/G♯ inversions put G♯ in the bass, giving a first-inversion sound.
Other E chords
Common questions
Why is the low E string muted in E 6th add 9?
The open E string is a chord tone, but it is muted to preserve the intended bass note and voicing.
How does E 6th add 9 differ from E 6th?
E 6th add 9 adds the 9th, F♯, to the E 6th chord. The 9th creates a more colorful, extended sound.
What are the alternate symbols for E 6th add 9?
E 6th add 9 is written E6/9 or E6add9.