Tools / Chords / E minor 9th

E minor 9th chord on guitar (Em9)

Also written Em9 or E

Guitar · Open · 0-2-0-0-0-2

E minor 9th contains E, G, B, D and F♯. The open position is one of the easiest minor 9th grips, with only two fretted notes.

Open · 0-2-0-0-0-20-2-0-0-0-2

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

E1Root

G♭3Minor 3rd

B5Perfect 5th

D♭7Minor 7th

F♯99th

Formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionE–G–B–D–F♯Em9Bass E

First inversionG–B–D–F♯–EEm9/GBass G

Second inversionB–D–F♯–E–GEm9/BBass B

Third inversionD–F♯–E–G–BEm9/DBass D

Fourth inversionF♯–E–G–B–DEm9/F♯Bass F♯

Why it sounds like that

E minor 9th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9. The minor 3rd between E and G gives the chord its minor quality, while the major 2nd from E to F♯ adds the ninth. Compare it with E minor 7th, which omits the ninth.

What goes wrong with E minor 9th?

Let the index finger flatten onto the 4th string, muting the open D.
Let the middle finger touch the 2nd string, muting the open B.
Strum too hard, causing the open strings to overpower the fretted notes.

When to use it

E minor 9th works as the vi chord in G major, as in the progression G–D–E minor–C, the I–V–vi–IV. Use it in folk or indie rock for a warm, mellow color. It also substitutes for E minor when you want the added ninth.

Changing to and from E minor 9th

From E minor 9th to E minor 7th, lift the middle finger and play the 1st string open; the other fingers stay put.
Sliding the 12th-fret barre shape down two frets to the 10th fret gives D minor 9th.

Which voicing to use

The open position keeps E in the bass for a root-position sound. The Em9/G inversion at the 2nd fret puts the minor 3rd in the bass, softening the chord. Choose the 12th fret barre when you need a higher register with the same root.

How do you play an E minor 9th chord on guitar?

Open · 0-2-0-0-0-2

Beginner● On the diagram

E minor 9th is played in open position as 0 2 0 0 0 2: index finger on the A string at fret 2 and middle finger on the high e string at fret 2. The low E, D, G and B strings ring open.

Tip — The open position requires clean fretting on the A and high e strings without muting the adjacent open strings.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	open	—	E (1)
5 (A)	2	1	B (5)
4 (D)	open	—	D (♭7)
3 (G)	open	—	G (♭3)
2 (B)	open	—	B (5)
1 (e)	2	2	F♯ (9)

Open · 0-2-0-0-3-2

Beginner

E minor 9th is played in open position as 0 2 0 0 3 2: index finger on the A string at fret 2, ring finger on the B string at fret 3 and middle finger on the high e string at fret 2. The low E, D and G strings ring open.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	open	—	E (1)
5 (A)	2	1	B (5)
4 (D)	open	—	D (♭7)
3 (G)	open	—	G (♭3)
2 (B)	3	3	D (♭7)
1 (e)	2	2	F♯ (9)

Open · 0-2-2-0-3-2

Beginner

E minor 9th is played in open position as 0 2 2 0 3 2: index finger on the A string at fret 2, middle finger on the D string at fret 2, pinky finger on the B string at fret 3 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 2. The low E and G strings ring open.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	open	—	E (1)
5 (A)	2	1	B (5)
4 (D)	2	2	E (1)
3 (G)	open	—	G (♭3)
2 (B)	3	4	D (♭7)
1 (e)	2	3	F♯ (9)

12th fret

Barre

E minor 9th is played at the 12th fret as 12 14 12 12 12 14: barre your index finger across fret 12, ring finger on the A string at fret 14 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 14.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	12	1 (barre)	E (1)
5 (A)	14	3	B (5)
4 (D)	12	1 (barre)	D (♭7)
3 (G)	12	1 (barre)	G (♭3)
2 (B)	12	1 (barre)	B (5)
1 (e)	14	4	F♯ (9)

Em9/G inversion

Barre

E minor 9th is played at the 2nd fret as 3 2 2 4 3 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the low E string at fret 3, pinky finger on the G string at fret 4 and ring finger on the B string at fret 3.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	3	2	G (♭3)
5 (A)	2	1 (barre)	B (5)
4 (D)	2	1 (barre)	E (1)
3 (G)	4	4	B (5)
2 (B)	3	3	D (♭7)
1 (e)	2	1 (barre)	F♯ (9)

Common questions

What is the difference between E minor 9th and E minor add 9?

E minor 9th includes the ♭7 (D), while E minor add 9 omits the ♭7. The add 9 chord has a more open, less jazzy sound.

Can E minor 9th be played as a barre chord?

Yes, the 12th-fret barre shape is the same voicing moved up. It is easier to slide but requires a full barre.

Why does E minor 9th sound brighter than E minor 7th?

The added ninth (F♯) creates a major 2nd against the root, adding a shimmer that the minor 7th lacks.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

open

—

E (1)

5 (A)

B (5)

4 (D)

open

—

D (♭7)

3 (G)

open

—

G (♭3)

2 (B)

open

—

B (5)

1 (e)

F♯ (9)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

open

—

E (1)

5 (A)

B (5)

4 (D)

open

—

D (♭7)

3 (G)

open

—

G (♭3)

2 (B)

D (♭7)

1 (e)

F♯ (9)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

open

—

E (1)

5 (A)

B (5)

4 (D)

E (1)

3 (G)

open

—

G (♭3)

2 (B)

D (♭7)

1 (e)

F♯ (9)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

1 (barre)

E (1)

5 (A)

B (5)

4 (D)

1 (barre)

D (♭7)

3 (G)

1 (barre)

G (♭3)

2 (B)

1 (barre)

B (5)

1 (e)

F♯ (9)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

G (♭3)

5 (A)

1 (barre)

B (5)

4 (D)

1 (barre)

E (1)

3 (G)

B (5)

2 (B)

D (♭7)

1 (e)

1 (barre)

F♯ (9)