Chord chart for Em6/9 Guitar Chord (E minor 6 add 9): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

E minor 6 add 9 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 217 playable shapes

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E minor 6 add 9 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

E minor 6 add 9 guitar chord

Em6/9 is the E minor 6 add 9 guitar chord. It uses the notes E, G, B, C♯, and F♯ and the interval formula 1-♭3-5-6-9.

The E minor 6 add 9 minor 6 add 9 chord combines the minor triad with a major sixth C♯ and ninth F♯, creating a bittersweet, soulful sound. The interplay between the minor third G and major sixth C♯ adds emotional complexity, ideal for jazz and expressive ballads.

Also written as Emin6(add9).

Root note: E
Quality: minor 6 add 9
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 217

Chord tones

EGBC♯F♯

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape xx2022

xx2022

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position.
  3. 3 Let the third string ring open.
  4. 4 Strum from the 4th string down.

Shape 042022

042022

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 5th string.
  4. 4 Let the sixth and third strings ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 6th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

E Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

G Minor Third ♭3

This note supplies the minor color and gives the chord its darker emotional pull.

B Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

C♯ Major Sixth 6

The sixth adds warmth and a slightly more relaxed extended color.

F♯ Major Ninth 9

The ninth opens the chord up and adds a modern, spacious color.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

E minor 6 add 9 shape xx2022

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  3. 3 Let the third string ring open
  4. 4 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  5. 5 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

E minor 6 add 9 shape 042022

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Let the sixth and third strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E minor 6 add 9 shape 024022

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Let the sixth and third strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E minor 6 add 9 shape 044022

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
  5. 5 Let the sixth and third strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E minor 6 add 9 shape 042002

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Let the sixth, third, and second strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E minor 6 add 9 shape 044002

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Let the sixth, third, and second strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E minor 6 add 9 shape 024023

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
  5. 5 Let the sixth and third strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E minor 6 add 9 shape 044023

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
  5. 5 Let the sixth and third strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in Em6/9?

Em6/9 uses the notes E, G, B, C♯, and F♯. Its interval formula is 1-♭3-5-6-9.

What is another name for Em6/9?

Em6/9 is also written as Emin6(add9).

How do you play Em6/9 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position. Let the third string ring open. Strum from the 4th string down.

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