Emaj9 Guitar Chord

Emaj9 is the E major ninth chord. It has five notes: E, G sharp, B, D sharp and F sharp. The open shape holds all five across six strings, which is rare and makes this the fullest sounding major ninth on the guitar.

3124EBD♯G♯BF♯

An open Emaj7 with the pinky added at the 2nd fret of the high E string. Four fingers, six strings, and all five notes of the chord.

How to play Emaj9, step by step

  1. Index finger: 1st fret, D string
  2. Middle finger: 1st fret, G string
  3. Ring finger: 2nd fret, A string
  4. Pinky finger: 2nd fret, high E string
  5. Strum all six strings.

Every finger is in the first two frets, so nothing stretches. The pinky on the high E string is the ninth, and it is the note to check first if the chord sounds ordinary.

More ways to play Emaj9

There are 2 common Emaj9 shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Barre at fret 7
Emaj9 guitar chord diagram, barre at fret 7, played x76877

Tighter and higher than the six string shape, and easier to keep clean. The notes sit close together, so the chord speaks quickly.

If it sounds crowded

The high E note is weak
The pinky holds it at the 2nd fret. That note is the ninth, so if it drops out you are left with Emaj7.
The G string note is muted
The middle finger at the 1st fret is being crowded. Arch the hand so each fingertip stands on its own.
The chord sounds thick
Six strings and five notes is dense. Play it lightly, and if it still swamps the song start the strum on the A string.

What makes it an Emaj9

E · G♯ · B · D♯ · F♯ 1 3 5 7 9

Emaj9 is an Emaj7 chord with a ninth added: E, G sharp, B and D sharp make Emaj7, and the F sharp on top makes it a ninth. The open shape carries all five notes without dropping anything.

It is the I chord of E major at its most relaxed and the resting chord of a ii V I in E. The D sharp sits a half step below the root and the F sharp a whole step above it, and those two notes rubbing against the E are what give the chord its floating quality.

Emaj9 vs Emaj7

Emaj9 is Emaj7 with an F sharp added on the top string. Emaj7 is already soft; the ninth turns it into something closer to a wash of sound.

The shapes are one finger apart, both built on open E, so this is the easiest pair on the guitar for hearing what a ninth does to a major seventh chord.

Emaj9 chord questions

What is the difference between Emaj9 and Eadd9?

Emaj9 contains the D sharp, the major seventh. Eadd9 has no seventh: it is E major with an F sharp added. The seventh is what makes Emaj9 sound jazzy instead of bright.

What is the difference between Emaj9 and E9?

E9 has a D natural, the flat seventh, and pulls toward A. Emaj9 has a D sharp and stays still. E9 is a blues chord, Emaj9 is a resting chord.

Is Emaj9 hard to play?

It is a four finger shape, but every finger sits in the first two frets and there is no barre. Most players find it easier than it looks.

Where is Emaj9 used?

As the I chord of E major in jazz, soul and bossa nova, and anywhere Emaj7 is written and a wider sound is wanted.

Do you strum all six strings?

Yes. Every string sounds a note of the chord in the open shape.

Chords to learn next

Other E chords