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Chord chart for Emadd9 Guitar Chord (E minor add 9): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

E minor add 9 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 263 playable shapes

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E minor add 9 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

E minor add 9 guitar chord

Emadd9 is the E minor add 9 guitar chord. It uses the notes E, G, B, and F♯ and the interval formula 1-♭3-5-9.

The E minor add 9 minor add 9 chord adds a ninth F♯ to the minor triad, creating a lush, emotional sound. The combination of the minor third G and ninth F♯ gives it a hauntingly beautiful, introspective quality, perfect for ballads and cinematic music.

Also written as Emin(add9).

Root note: E
Quality: minor add 9
Chord tones: 4
Playable shapes: 263

Chord tones

EGBF♯

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape 022002

022002

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

Shape xx2002

xx2002

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.
  3. 3 Let the third and second strings ring open.
  4. 4 Strum from the 4th 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.

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 add 9 shape 022002

How to play this shape

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

E minor add 9 shape xx2002

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 Let the third and second strings 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 add 9 shape 024002

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
  3. 3 Place the 3rd 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 add 9 shape 024003

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 3rd fret of the 1st string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd 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 add 9 shape 024403

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

E minor add 9 shape 024000

How to play this shape

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

E minor add 9 shape 075070

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Let the sixth, third, and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E minor add 9 shape x75070

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Let the third and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in Emadd9?

Emadd9 uses the notes E, G, B, and F♯. Its interval formula is 1-♭3-5-9.

What is another name for Emadd9?

Emadd9 is also written as Emin(add9).

How do you play Emadd9 on guitar?

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

Related Articles

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