Explore chords · Ukulele
E minor add 9 chord on ukulele (Emadd9)
Also called or written Emadd9, Em add9, E or E minor Add 9th
E minor add 9 contains E, G, B, and F♯. The 7th fret voicing is a closed shape that moves easily up the neck.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9
- Root positionE–G–B–F♯Emadd99-7-7-9
- First inversionG–B–F♯–EEmadd9/G9-7-7-9
- Second inversionB–F♯–E–GEmadd9/B11-11-12-10
- Third inversionF♯–E–G–BEmadd9/F♯11-11-12-10
How do you play an E minor add 9 chord on ukulele?
E minor add 9 is played at the 7th fret as 9 7 7 9: ring finger on the G string at fret 9, index finger on the C string at fret 7, middle finger on the E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 3 | E (1) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 1 | G (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (5) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (2) |
AdvancedThe 7th fret voicing requires a wide stretch between the index finger on the 7th fret and the pinky on the 9th fret of the A string.
Em add9/B inversion
E minor add 9 is played at the 10th fret as 11 11 12 10: middle finger on the G string at fret 11, ring finger on the C string at fret 11, pinky finger on the E string at fret 12 and index finger on the A string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 2 | F♯ (2) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 3 | B (5) |
| 2 (E) | 12 | 4 | E (1) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 1 | G (♭3) |
Why it sounds like that
E minor add 9 is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9. The major 2nd interval between E and F♯ is the 9th that gives the chord its suspended, airy quality. Compare it with E minor, which lacks the 9th and sounds darker.
What goes wrong with E minor add 9?
- Letting the pinky collapse and mute the E string, which kills the perfect 5th.
- Placing the index finger too far from the fret, causing the C string to buzz.
When to use it
E minor add 9 is the vi chord in G major, appearing in progressions like G–D–Em–C (I–V–vi–IV). Its bright, ringing quality suits indie rock and pop. Use it in place of E minor when you want a more open, modern sound.
Changing to and from E minor add 9
- Move to E minor by lifting the pinky and ring fingers, leaving the index and middle fingers on the 7th fret.
- Slide the shape up two frets to the 9th fret gives F♯ minor add 9.
Which voicing to use
The 7th fret voicing keeps the root E as the lowest note, giving a strong minor foundation. The Em add9/F♯ inversion places the 9th F♯ in the bass, creating a softer, more flowing sound that works well when moving to a G major chord.
Other E chords
Common questions
How does E minor add 9 differ from E minor 7th?
E minor add 9 omits the 7th degree, so it contains only the root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th, and 9th. E minor 7th includes the minor 7th, giving it a more complex, jazzy sound.
Can E minor add 9 be used in a rock progression?
Yes, E minor add 9 works well as the i chord in an E minor rock progression. The added 9th creates a sense of tension that resolves when moving to the iv or v chord.
Why does the 7th fret voicing sound out of tune on some ukuleles?
The close voicing of the upper notes can cause the 9th to clash with the minor 3rd if the intonation is off. Check that the C string is fretted cleanly at the 7th fret.