How to play the E7#9 chord on guitar

The E7#9 chord, pronounced "E dominant sharp ninth," is a striking and dissonant guitar chord. Notable for its edgy, tense sound, the E7#9 is often used in jazz, blues, and funk music to add color and spice to progressions. The chord has been featured in iconic songs like Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze," showcasing its ability to create an unforgettable musical moment.

The E7#9 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 7th fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a E7#9 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 7th fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, start from the 6th (low E) string and strum downwards, making sure all notes ring out clearly.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the E7#9 chord, try playing an E7 chord instead. The E7 chord is a more basic version of the E7#9 and still captures the dominant sound. To play E7, place your first finger on the first fret of the G string and strum all six strings.

The E7#9 chord is not commonly played as a barre chord on guitar. The standard E7#9 voicing uses an open E string, which cannot be easily replicated with a barre chord shape. Attempting to play an E7#9 barre chord would require very challenging left hand fingerings that are impractical, especially for beginners. Instead, it's best to stick with the standard E7#9 voicing to play this chord.

The E7#9 chord adds a sharp and edgy sound to progressions, creating a sense of tension, unease, or even danger. It's commonly used in jazz, blues, and rock to add a distinctive and memorable flavor. Here are some popular chord progressions featuring the E7#9 chord:

• I - IV - I - V7 - IV - I - V7 - I (E - A - E - B7 - A - E - B7 - E). Used in "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix.
• I - bIII - IV - bVI (E - G - A - C). Used in "Foxy Lady" by Jimi Hendrix.
• I - IV - V7 - IV (E - A - B7 - A).
• I - VI - II - V (E - C#m - F#m - B7).
• I - V7 - VI - IV (E - B7 - C#m - A).

To master the E7#9 chord, try playing it in different positions up and down the neck. Start with the basic shape, then shift it to other frets, maintaining the same finger pattern. This drill helps you develop muscle memory and familiarizes you with the chord's sound in various contexts.

Another effective drill is to practice transitioning smoothly between E7#9 and other closely related chords, such as A7 or B7. Focus on minimizing the movement of your fretting hand during these transitions. Regularly incorporating E7#9 into your chord progressions will make it feel more natural over time.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the E7#9 chord.

1. Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix (E7#9, G, A)
2. Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix (E7#9, F#7, B7, G7, A7, D7)
3. The Wind Cries Mary by Jimi Hendrix (E7#9, G, A, C, B7)
4. Stone Free by Jimi Hendrix (E7#9, A7, G7, D7)
5. Spanish Castle Magic by Jimi Hendrix (E7#9, G, A, F#7)
6. Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix (E7#9, C, G, D, A, E)
7. Foxey Lady by Jimi Hendrix (E7#9, F#7, B7, G7, A7, D7)
8. Manic Depression by Jimi Hendrix (E7#9, G, A, C, B7)
9. Voodoo Child (Slight Return) by Jimi Hendrix (E7#9, Eb7#9, D7#9, C#7#9)
10. Lover Man by Jimi Hendrix (E7#9, A7, G7, D7)