Also written E♭madd9, E♭m add9 or E♭
E♭ minor add 9 contains E♭, G♭, B♭, and F. The default grip places the index and middle on fret 6 while the ring and pinky stretch to fret 8.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E♭ minor add 9 is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9. The major 2nd between E♭ and F adds the ninth color over the minor triad. Compare it to E♭ minor, which omits the F.
Use E♭ minor add 9 in place of E♭ minor for a lush, atmospheric minor sound in jazz and R&B.
The default G♭ inversion places the ♭3 in the bass, creating a darker, more introspective color. The B♭ inversion, with the 5 in the bass, sounds more grounded and stable.
E♭ minor add 9 is played at the 6th fret as 8 6 6 8: ring finger on the G string at fret 8, index finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 8.
Tip — The stretch between the index on fret 6 and the pinky on fret 8 requires wide finger independence.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 3 | E♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 1 | G♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 2 | B♭ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 4 | F (9) |
E♭ minor add 9 is played at the 9th fret as 10 10 11 9: middle finger on the G string at fret 10, ring finger on the C string at fret 10, pinky finger on the E string at fret 11 and index finger on the A string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 2 | F (9) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 3 | B♭ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 4 | E♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 1 | G♭ (♭3) |
E♭ minor add 9 is written E♭m add9 or E♭ minor add 9. The ASCII root is Eb. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
E♭ minor add 9 contains E♭, G♭, B♭, and F. E♭ minor 9 adds the ♭7 (D♭) as well. The add 9 has no seventh, so the ninth stands out more.
The default voicing is a first inversion, with the ♭3 (G♭) as the lowest note. This inversion softens the root and makes the chord less stable, useful for passing moments.