E Major 9th Chord

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Formula R – 9 – 3 – 5 – 7

Summary

E Major 9th is built from the notes E, F♯, G♯, B, D♯. The interval from E to F♯ is a major 2nd (2 semitones), from E to G♯ is a major 3rd (4 semitones), from E to B is a perfect 5th (7 semitones), from E to D♯ is a major 7th (11 semitones). This chord contains 3 sharped notes.

The major 9th is the lush, dreamy extension of the major 7th chord. Adding a 9th gives you something silky and sophisticated — the go-to chord in jazz and bossa nova when you want more color than a plain major 7th.

Theory

Built from R, 3, 5, 7, 9 — a major 7th chord with a major 9th on top. The interval stack is major 3rd, minor 3rd, major 3rd, minor 3rd, creating a perfectly alternating pattern. It naturally lives on the 1st and 4th degrees of the major scale. The 9th adds warmth and openness without changing the chord's resolved, "home" quality.

On the guitar

On guitar, the 5th is almost always omitted to make the voicing playable — you keep the root, 3rd, 7th, and 9th, which are the notes that define the chord's character. Common shapes place the root on the 5th or 6th string. A practical shortcut: play a minor 7th chord built on the 3rd of the root (Em7 voicing for Cmaj9) — same notes, instant maj9 sound.

Advanced

In neo-soul and R&B, maj9 chords replace plain major chords everywhere for that polished, modern sound. Drop 2 voicings on strings 2-3-4-5 give you a warm, professional texture. Try playing the 1st and 4th chords of a key both as maj9 for an immediately lush two-chord vamp.

Piano