Learn › E9 Chord on Piano (E Dominant 9th)
New Released in April 2026
E9 Chord on Piano (E Dominant 9th)
The E dominant 9th chord (E9) uses the piano keys E, G#, B, D and F#: the dominant seventh E7 plus the 9th, F#. In one phrase: full and bluesy-bright, tension that still sounds smooth.
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- MIDI keyboard
- Digital or acoustic piano
- Guitar
- Computer, phone or tablet
E9 and G#m7b5
Above the root E sit four notes that form G#m7b5: G# B D F#. A pianist can play E with the left hand and G#m7b5 with the right, and the result is E9.
The formula of E9
Formula 1 3 5 b7 9. Count from E and every number is a step of the E major scale, and a b lowers it by one key.
Start chord: E7
| Note | Step | Interval | Keys from E |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | 1 | root | 0 |
| G# | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| B | 5 | perfect 5th | 7 |
| D | b7 | minor 7th | 10 |
| F# | 9 | major 9th | 14 |
Ways to place E9 on the keys
Learn them in pairs: root position first, then the one that keeps the most notes still.
Both hands: E D G# B F#
Rootless, 3rd on the bottom: G# B D F#
Rootless, 7th on the bottom: D F# G# B
Left hand alone: E D
Fingering
| Left hand | E D | 5 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Right hand | G# B F# | 1 2 4 |
A short E9 routine
- Find E, then add the other notes one at a time: E, G#, B, D and F#.
- Play E7, then E9, then E7 again, and hear what the 9th adds to the seventh.
- Try E9 in a rootless shape with the 3rd on the bottom, the position that sits closest to your last chord.
- Then test it in random order among other chords: recall under time pressure is what sticks.
Keep each session short and frequent and E9 will become automatic.
When to play E9
- E9 is the V chord of A major: it pulls home to A.
- Many pianists play E9 whenever E7 appears, because the 9th makes the same pull sound richer.
Play E9 in a game
In ChordRunner every correct chord moves your runner forward. Plug in a MIDI keyboard or let the microphone listen to your piano. Dominant 9ths appear in the later boss challenges, next to major and minor 9ths.
Play the demoCommon questions
What is E9 on the piano?
E9 is the E dominant 9th chord: E, G#, B, D and F#, the dominant seventh E7 plus the 9th, F#.
What is the difference between E9 and E7?
E7 is E G# B D. To get E9, add F# above the seventh.
Where is E9 used?
E9 is the V chord of A major: it pulls home to A. Many pianists play E9 whenever E7 appears, because the 9th makes the same pull sound richer.
Can I practise E9 with a MIDI keyboard or a real piano?
Yes. In ChordRunner a USB MIDI keyboard is detected automatically, and an acoustic or digital piano works through the microphone. The game checks that E, G#, B, D and F# sound together.
Your instrument is the controller.
ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
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