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Em9 Chord on Guitar

Em9 is the E minor 9th chord — 5 notes (E, G, B, D, F♯) built from the formula 1 ♭3 5 ♭7 9. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: E · G · B · D · F♯Formula: 1 · ♭3 · 5 · ♭7 · 9Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

Em9: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • Em9 – open positionR5♭7♭359open position
  • Em9 – fret 55×R♭3♭79×fret 5
  • Em9 – fret 1212R5♭7♭359fret 12

Em9: Shell voicings (jazz)

  • Em9 – R-3-710R♭3♭7×××R-3-7
  • Em9 – R-3-75×R♭3♭7××R-3-7
  • Em9 – R-7-312R×♭7♭3××R-7-3
  • Em9 – R-7-37×R×♭7♭3×R-7-3

Keys that contain Em9

Scales to play over Em9

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain E, G, B, D, F♯.

Other E chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Minor 9th chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the Em9 chord?
Em9 (E minor 9th) contains E, G, B, D, F♯ — formula 1 ♭3 5 ♭7 9.
How do you play Em9 on guitar?
A common shape is 020002 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with Em9?
Good choices to solo over Em9: E Dorian, E Aeolian (Minor), E Dorian ♯4.
What key is Em9 in?
Em9 is diatonic in D major (ii9), G major (vi9), E minor (i9), B minor (iv9).