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E6/9 Guitar Chord

E6/9 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
E6/9Guitar fingering diagram for E6/9123423144STRING6ªE5ªB4ªE3ªG#2ªC#1ªF#
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What sets E6/9 apart

The notes of E6/9 are E, G#, B, C# and F#. E is the root, G# the major third, B the fifth, C# the sixth and F# the ninth. Said aloud, its notes are E, G sharp, B, C sharp and F sharp.

From the low string to the high one you hear E, B, E, G#, C# and F#. The root, E, shows up twice in the main shape. The lowest note is E on string 6 and the highest is F# on string 1.

In E6/9, string 6 is played open and adds E. Everything fits between frets 1 and 2. The second shape on this page starts at fret 6.

Eadd9 is one change away. String 2 is left open, bringing in B, the fifth of Eadd9. E6/9 holds the whole C#m chord inside it, E, G# and C#. The change that keeps the most fingers still is to E. Three stay in place.

You will find E6/9 in six different keys. In E major it is the I6/9, in A major the V6/9 and in B major the IV6/9. The rest appear in the key list.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01E E - C#m - F#m - B702G#m G#m - E - C#m - D#7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (E6/9)

Formula: Sixth with Ninth (1 - 3 - 5 - 6 - 9)
Constituent chord intervals:

E 1G# 3B 5C# 6F# 9

Root Bass (Fundamental String)6th String (Low E) • Fret 0 (E)

String Control (Muted & Active)6 / 6 • Active and muted strings status indicator

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for E6/9:

01

Open

Standard Position
6 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
○Open
EDegree 1
5th String (A)
Fret 2Finger 2
BDegree 5
4th String (D)
Fret 2Finger 3
EDegree 1
3rd String (G)
Fret 1Finger 1
G#Degree 3
2nd String (B)
Fret 2Finger 4
C#Degree 6
1st String (High E)
Fret 2Finger 4
F#Degree 9

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 2 with your Middle finger, 4th String (D) at fret 2 with your Ring finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 1 with your Index finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 2 with your Pinky finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 2 with your Pinky finger. Play open: 6th String (Low E).

02

Fret 7

Inversion
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 7Finger 2
EDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 6Finger 1
G#Degree 3
3rd String (G)
Fret 6Finger 1
C#Degree 6
2nd String (B)
Fret 7Finger 3
F#Degree 9
1st String (High E)
Fret 7Finger 4
BDegree 5

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 7 with your Middle finger, 4th String (D) at fret 6 with your Index finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 6 with your Index finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 7 with your Ring finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 7 with your Pinky finger. Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (E6/9)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets1 to 2
Fretting fingers4
Open6th
Mutednone

What to check

The open 6th string sits next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from E6/9

Listen: E6/9 → E · B7 · B

  1. E6/9
  2. E
  3. E6/9
  4. B7
  5. E6/9
  6. B
E6/9 → E01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:3 fingers stay
Stay in place
  • finger 2: string 5, fret 2
  • finger 3: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 3, fret 1
E6/9 → B702
Pivot / Anchor Finger:2 fingers stay
Stay in place
  • finger 2: string 5, fret 2
  • finger 4: string 1, fret 2
Move
  • finger 1: string 4, fret 1
  • finger 3: string 3, fret 2
E6/9 → B03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:2 shared positions
Stay in place
  • string 5, fret 2
  • string 1, fret 2
Move
  • string 4, fret 4
  • string 3, fret 4
  • string 2, fret 4

E6/9 in every key

E6/9 sits in the scale of 6 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
2/5
Highest fret
2
Frets the hand covers
2
Barre
No
Strings that ring
6/6
Fretting fingers
4

E6/9 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (E6/9)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the E6/9 chord?

To play the E6/9 chord on guitar, all 6 strings are played from the 6th string (Low E) to the 1st string (High E). Arch your finger joints perpendicular to the fretboard so adjacent strings ring clearly.

What is the root bass note of the E6/9 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the E6/9 chord is its root note: E. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 6 at fret 0.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the E6/9 chord and what is its formula?

The E6/9 chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 - 6 - 9 formula (Sixth with Ninth). Its constituent pitches are E, G#, B, C#, F#.

How do you prevent the E6/9 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the E6/9 chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

Study sheet · High resolution

Official E6/9 chord diagram

E6/9 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the E family:

Chord E Chord Eb Chord Em Chord Ebm Chord E7 Chord Eb7 Chord Emaj7 Chord Ebmaj7