Em9 Piano Chord

How to play Em9 on piano, step by step

1. Start on the E above middle C. That is the lowest note of the chord.
2. Thumb (1): E
3. Index finger (2): G
4. Middle finger (3): B
5. Ring finger (4): D
6. Little finger (5): F♯
7. That reach is wider than an octave, so most players split it: play E with the left hand and the other notes with the right. If you keep it in one hand, leave out the fifth (B), the note the chord misses least.

The top four notes, G, B, D and F sharp, are exactly Gmaj7. Hold E in the left hand and play a Gmaj7 shape with the right and you have Em9 with no stretch.

If it sounds wrong

The reach is too wide

E to F sharp is a ninth, ending on a black key. Split the chord between the hands, or leave out the B and play E, G, D and F sharp.

It sounds like a major chord

Without the root the top four notes are Gmaj7. The E in the bass is what makes the chord minor, so it has to sound.

The little finger misses F sharp

Four white keys and then one black key at the top. Angle the hand slightly into the keyboard so the little finger lands on the wide part of the F sharp.

What makes it an Em9

E · G · B · D · F♯ | 1 ♭3 5 ♭7 9

Em9 is Em7 with a ninth added: E, G, B and D make the minor seventh, and the F sharp on top makes it a ninth. It is the ii chord of D and a richer stand in for E minor anywhere.

The upper four notes spell Gmaj7 on their own, which is the practical way in: left hand E, right hand a plain Gmaj7, together Em9. Minor ninths are the everyday minor of soul, R and B and jazz.

Em9 vs Em7

Em9 adds an F sharp to the four notes of Em7. The seventh is one of the calmest chords there is; the ninth keeps the calm and adds a glow above it.

The difference under the hand is one black key a ninth above the root, which is why the ninth version usually means two hands where the seventh needed one.