Chord & FretEm9 — minor ninth
Notes in Em9: E – G – B – D – F#Formula: 1 – b3 – 5 – b7 – 9In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.
The m9 is the m7 with the ninth. It deepens the minor sound, with added depth and smoothness.
The same chord on all four instruments
Where to use it: The heart of neo-soul and R&B vamps — that is, those short two-chord passages that loop over and over while the melody floats on top. It also works as the arrival chord in a minor key, smoother and more modern than a plain m7.
Every region of the neck hides more shapes of Em9. In Chord & Fret, you hear every shape strummed string by string, in each instrument's own voice; open every variation on the neck, grouped by bass note; and set a capo — the diagrams redraw above it. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. Plays offline.
See the whole neck in Chord & Fret →Part of the Extended family.