E Major 9th

Emaj9

Notes

E · G# · B · D# · F#

Intervals

  • RootE (1P)
  • Major 3rdG# (3M)
  • Perfect 5thB (5P)
  • Major 7thD# (7M)
  • Major 9thF# (9M)

Fretboard

EBGDAE357912EF#G#BD#EBD#EF#G#BG#BD#EF#D#EF#G#BBD#EF#G#EF#G#BD#E

About

The E major 9th (E–G♯–B–D♯–F♯) extends a maj7 with a ninth. The result combines the gentle shimmer of the major-7 interval with the openness of the F♯. The 3rd, 7th, and 9th are the essential tones — the 5th is typically dropped on guitar, since it adds little harmonic information and clutters the voicing. Common in jazz and R&B as a tonic or subdominant color. Compared to EMaj7, maj9 feels more expansive and less static; the added 9th breathes air into the chord without introducing tension. Compared to E6/9, it is more harmonically active because of the 7th.

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