Chord chart for E minor major 9 / B (2nd inversion) Guitar Chord: Notes, Shapes & Bass Note | Guitar Wiz

Emin/maj9/B guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 19 playable shapes

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E minor major 9 / B (2nd inversion) guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

E minor major 9 / B (2nd inversion)

Emin/maj9/B is the E minor major 9 / B (2nd inversion) guitar chord with B in the bass. It uses the notes E, G, B, D♯, and F♯ and the interval formula 1-♭3-5-7-9.

The E minor major 9 minor major 9 chord blends the haunting tension of the minor major 7th with the romantic ninth F♯, resulting in a complex, emotional palette. It conveys a sense of mystery and introspection, suitable for cinematic or jazz compositions. With B in the bass, this voicing functions as the 2nd inversion of E minor major 9.

Also written as Emin/maj9 and EmM9/B.

Root note: E
Bass note: B
Chord tones: 5
Playable shapes: 19

Chord tones

EGBD♯F♯

Common guitar voicings

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

Shape x22042

x22042

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 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string.
  4. 4 Let the third string ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 5th string down.

Shape x24040

x24040

View 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 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string.
  4. 4 Let the third and first strings ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 5th 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.

D♯ Major Seventh 7

The major seventh adds a smooth, lush tension close to the root.

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.

Emin/maj9/B shape x22042

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

Emin/maj9/B shape x24040

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 Place the 4th finger on the 4th 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

Emin/maj9/B shape 765070

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Let the third and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Emin/maj9/B shape 799880

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string and 3rd string in barre position
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string
  5. 5 Let the first string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Emin/maj9/B shape 764040

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string
  5. 5 Let the third and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Emin/maj9/B shape 774040

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 5th string and 6th string in barre position
  4. 4 Let the third and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Emin/maj9/B shape 764050

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string
  5. 5 Let the third and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Emin/maj9/B shape 764000

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string
  4. 4 Let the third, second, and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in Emin/maj9/B?

Emin/maj9/B uses the notes E, G, B, D♯, and F♯. Its interval formula is 1-♭3-5-7-9.

What is another name for Emin/maj9/B?

Emin/maj9/B is also written as Emin/maj9 and EmM9/B.

How do you play Emin/maj9/B 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. Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 2nd string. Let the third string ring open. Strum from the 5th string down.

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