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E minor major 9th chord on guitar (EmMaj9)
Also called or written EmMaj9, Eminmaj9, EmM9, Emin(maj9) or Em(maj9)
E minor major 9th contains E, G, B, D♯ and F♯. The open voicing uses open strings and a ring-finger stretch to fret 2 on the high E.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7, 9
- Root positionE–G–B–D♯–F♯EmMaj90-2-1-0-0-2
- First inversionG–B–D♯–F♯–EEmMaj9/G3-2-2-4-4-2
- Second inversionB–D♯–F♯–E–GEmMaj9/Bno shape on this instrument
- Third inversionD♯–F♯–E–G–BEmMaj9/D♯no shape on this instrument
- Fourth inversionF♯–E–G–B–D♯EmMaj9/F♯2-2-1-0-0-0
How do you play an E minor major 9th chord on guitar?
E minor major 9th is played in open position as 0 2 1 0 0 2: middle finger on the A string at fret 2, index finger on the D string at fret 1 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 | 2 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 | D♯ (7) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (2) |
AdvancedThe ring finger must fret the high E string at fret 2 cleanly while the B and G strings ring open.
12th fret
E minor major 9th is played at the 12th fret as 12 14 13 12 12 14: barre your index finger across fret 12, ring finger on the A string at fret 14, middle finger on the D string at fret 13 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 | 3 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 13 | 2 | D♯ (7) |
| 3 (G) | 12 | 1 (barre) | G (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 12 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | 14 | 4 | F♯ (2) |
Eminmaj9/G inversion
E minor major 9th is played at the 2nd fret as 3 2 2 4 4 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the low E string at fret 3, ring finger on the G string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 4.
Full note and interval 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 | 3 | B (5) |
| 2 (B) | 4 | 4 | D♯ (7) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (2) |
Eminmaj9/F♯ inversion · open position
E minor major 9th is played in open position as 2 2 1 0 0 0: middle finger on the low E string at fret 2, ring finger on the A string at fret 2 and index finger on the D string at fret 1. The G, B and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (2) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 3 | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 | D♯ (7) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (1) |
Eminmaj9/F♯ inversion · fret 2
E minor major 9th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 2 2 4 4 3: barre your index finger across fret 2, ring finger on the G string at fret 4, pinky finger on the B string at fret 4 and middle finger on the high e string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (2) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 3 | B (5) |
| 2 (B) | 4 | 4 | D♯ (7) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 2 | G (♭3) |
Why it sounds like that
E minor major 9th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 7, 9. The major 7th D♯ against the minor 3rd G creates the chord's characteristic tension. Compare it to E minor major 7th, which omits the 9th F♯.
What goes wrong with E minor major 9th?
- Let the ring finger touch the B string, deadening the open B.
- Allow the index finger to flatten onto the G string, causing a buzz on the open G.
- Let the middle finger mute the D string, losing the F♯ at fret 1.
When to use it
Use E minor major 9th in place of E minor for a more complex color. It suits jazz ballads and film-score tension.
Changing to and from E minor major 9th
- Move to E minor major 7th by lifting the ring finger off the high E string and letting it ring open.
- Slide the 12th-fret barre voicing down two frets to the 10th fret for D minor major 9th.
Which voicing to use
The open voicing puts the root E in the bass via the low E string. The E minor major 9th/G inversion at the 2nd fret places G in the bass, softening the chord's bite. Choose the F♯ inversion when you want the 9th in the bass for a floating, unresolved feel.
Other E chords
Common questions
How is E minor major 9th written?
E minor major 9th is written EmM9, min(maj9), m(maj9), or Eminmaj9.
What is the difference between E minor major 9th and E minor add 9?
E minor add 9 contains E, G, B and F♯, omitting the major 7th D♯. E minor major 9th includes both the major 7th and the 9th, creating a denser, more dissonant sound.
Can E minor major 9th be used in a minor key?
E minor major 9th is the tonic chord in E harmonic minor and E melodic minor. It is not diatonic to E natural minor, which has a minor 7th D instead of D♯.