Explore chords · Guitar
E minor add 9 chord on guitar (Emadd9)
Also called or written Emadd9, Em add9, E or E minor Add 9th
E minor add 9 is built from E, G, B, and F♯. The open position uses all six strings and no barre, making it one of the easiest add 9 shapes.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9
- Root positionE–G–B–F♯Emadd90-2-2-0-0-2
- First inversionG–B–F♯–EEmadd9/G3-2-2-0-0-2
- Second inversionB–F♯–E–GEmadd9/B×-2-2-0-0-2
- Third inversionF♯–E–G–BEmadd9/F♯2-2-2-0-0-0
How do you play an E minor add 9 chord on guitar?
E minor add 9 is played in open position as 0 2 2 0 0 2: index finger on the A string at fret 2, middle finger on the D string at fret 2 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 2. The low E, G and B strings ring open.
Full note and interval 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) | open | — | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (2) |
AdvancedThe ring finger must fret the high e at the 2nd fret while the open B string rings clearly next to it.
12th fret
E minor add 9 is played at the 12th fret as 12 14 14 12 12 14: barre your index finger across fret 12, middle finger on the A string at fret 14, ring finger on the D string at fret 14 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 14.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 12 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | 14 | 2 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 14 | 3 | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | 12 | 1 (barre) | G (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 12 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | 14 | 4 | F♯ (2) |
Em add9/G inversion
E minor add 9 is played in open position as 3 2 2 0 0 2: pinky finger on the low E string at fret 3, index finger on the A string at fret 2, middle finger on the D string at fret 2 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 2. The G and B strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 4 | G (♭3) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (2) |
Em add9/B inversion · open position
E minor add 9 is played in open position as × 2 2 0 0 2: index finger on the A string at fret 2, middle finger on the D string at fret 2 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 2. The G and B strings ring open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (2) |
Em add9/B inversion · fret 12
E minor add 9 is played at the 12th fret as × 14 14 12 12 14: barre your index finger across fret 12, middle finger on the A string at fret 14, ring finger on the D string at fret 14 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 14. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 14 | 2 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 14 | 3 | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | 12 | 1 (barre) | G (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 12 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | 14 | 4 | F♯ (2) |
Why it sounds like that
E minor add 9 uses the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9. The major 2nd between E and F♯ adds the ninth, while the minor 3rd between E and G keeps the minor quality. Compare with E minor, which omits the ninth.
What goes wrong with E minor add 9?
- Letting the ring finger touch the 2nd string and deaden the open B.
- Fretting the 5th string with the index finger too far from the fret, causing a buzz.
When to use it
E minor add 9 works as the vi chord in G major, as in G–D–Em–C, the I–V–vi–IV. It suits bright, open passages where the added ninth adds a shimmering quality.
Changing to and from E minor add 9
- From E minor, add the ring finger on the high e at the 2nd fret to create E minor add 9.
- Move the shape up to the 12th fret to play E minor add 9 as a barre chord.
Which voicing to use
The open position puts E in the bass for a root-position sound. The Em add9/G inversion at the 3rd fret places G in the bass, giving a darker, less stable feel.
Other E chords
Common questions
What is the difference between E minor add 9 and E minor 9?
E minor add 9 contains only the root, minor third, fifth, and ninth. E minor 9 adds the minor seventh as well, creating a denser, more dissonant sound.
Can I play E minor add 9 as a barre chord?
Yes, the 12th-fret barre shape is the same voicing an octave higher. It uses the same fingering as A minor add 9 but shifted up seven frets.
Why is the open position so easy?
The open position uses no barre and only three fretted notes. The open strings provide the root, fifth, and ninth, so the fretting hand does less work.