Learn how to play the Em9 chord with this free guitar lesson. The Em9 (also known as E Minor 9, E Minor 9th) is a beautiful, haunting, jazzy sounding chord. Once you play it you will understand why. It is also a very easy basic beginner guitar chord.
The E Minor 9 Chord is found by locating the 1, b3, 5 , b7, 9 steps of the E Major Scale: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, or the notes E, G, B , D and F#.. The “b3” symbol translates to “Flattened 3rd” , which means we simply lower the 3rd step of the E Major Scale (G#) a 1/2 step to a “G”. The “b7” symbol translates to “Flattened 7th” , which means we simply lower the 7th step of the E Major Scale (D#) a 1/2 step to a “D”.
The Notes of the Em9 chord are: E, G, B, D and F#
The chord diagram chart below demonstrates how to play the E Minor 9th Chord.
Here is a key that will help you read the chart:
Everything on the above chart should be self explanatory, except for the last three in the third column. They may need a bit of explaining. The O, or open symbol, simply means that you do not press down on any notes on that string. The X means you do not strum that particular string. The Barre symbol means you need to barre that particular fret. When you barre a fret you are pressing down on multiple strings at the same time with one finger.
Em9 Video Demonstration
Chord Playing Tip: Be sure that you are pressing down on the strings hard enough. You should play each string one at a time to make sure you have a nice clean sound. If any of the strings buzz or sound muted, then something is not right.
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