How to play the E7b9 chord on guitar

The E7b9 chord, pronounced "E dominant flat ninth," is a jazzy and bluesy variation of the E dominant seventh chord. It features an added flat ninth note, creating a tense and dissonant sound. This chord is commonly used in blues, jazz, and funk music to add a sophisticated and edgy flavor to progressions, and can be heard in songs like "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix.

The E7b9 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 7th fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a E7b9 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 7th fret, creating a barre.
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.

Strum all six strings together to play the E7b9 chord, ensuring that each string rings out clearly.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the E7b9 chord, try playing an E7 chord instead. An E7 is played with your first finger on the first fret of the G string, second finger on the second fret of the D string, and third finger on the second fret of the B string.

The E7b9 chord is more commonly played in an open voicing, so I don't feel confident providing detailed instructions on playing it as a barre chord without double checking the fingering. It's a less common voicing that beginning guitarists are unlikely to need.

The E7b9 chord is often used in blues, jazz, and rock progressions to add tension and a sense of unresolved longing or grit. Some common chord progressions featuring E7b9 include:

• I - IV - I - V7 - IV - I - V7 - I (E7b9 - A7 - E7b9 - B7 - A7 - E7b9 - B7 - E7b9)
• I - IV - V7 (E7b9 - A7 - B7) Used in "Sweet Home Chicago" and "Rock Me Baby"
• I - VI7 - II7 - V7 (E7b9 - C#7 - F#7 - B7) Used in "Stormy Monday"
• I - II7 - V7 (E7b9 - F#7 - B7)
• I - bIII7 - IV7 - bVII7 (E7b9 - G7 - A7 - D7)

To master the E7b9 chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, starting with the lowest and moving to the highest. Focus on producing a clear, crisp sound for each note. Once you can play each note cleanly, practice transitioning between them in a fluid motion.

Another effective drill is to practice the E7b9 chord in the context of a progression. Try playing a 12-bar blues progression in the key of E, using the E7b9 chord as the dominant seventh. This will help you develop muscle memory and seamlessly integrate the chord into your playing.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the E7b9 chord.

1. Round Midnight by Thelonious Monk (Ebm7, Dm7b5, Cm7, F7, Bbm7, E7b9, Am7b5, D7b9, Abm7, Db7, Gm7, C7b9, Fm7, Bb7, Am7, D7, Gm7, C7, Fm7, Bb7, Eb6)
2. Crazy He Calls Me by Billie Holiday (Am7, Am6/G, Fmaj7, Dm7, E7b9, Am7, D7)
3. Stormy Weather by Ethel Waters (G7, C7, F7, D7, G7, C7, F7, Dm7, Fm7, E7b9, Edim7, Am7, D7)
4. Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael (G#maj7, F#7, B7, E7b9, A6, D#7, G#7, C#7, Emaj9, C7, Fmaj9)
5. My Funny Valentine by Richard Rodgers (Em7, Am7, D7, Gmaj7, Bm7b5, E7b9, Am7, D7, Gmaj7, Bbdim7, Am7, D7, Gmaj7)
6. Makin' Whoopee by Eddie Cantor (Cmaj7, Dm7, G7, Cmaj7, Dm7, G7, Cmaj7, Gm7, C7, Fmaj7, Fm7, E7b9, Am7, D9)
7. My Man by Fanny Brice (C, A7, Dm7, Dm7/G, C/G, D7/F#, C/E, D7, Dm7, G7, C, Gm7, C7, F, Fm7, E7b9, Am7, Abdim7, Dm7, G7)
8. The Masquerade Is Over by Russell Columbo (Cmaj7, Gm7, C7, Fmaj7, Fm7, C7, Fmaj7, D7, Gm7, Am7, Gm7, C7, F6, D7, Gm7, C7, Fmaj7, A7, Dm7, E7b9, Am7, D7, Dm7, G7, Em7, A7, Dm7, G7, C6)
9. Cry Me A River by Julie London (Am7, E7b9, Am7, Cm7, F7, Bbmaj7, Bm7b5, E7b9, Am7, D7, Gmaj7)
10. Moonlight In Vermont by Margaret Whiting (Gmaj7, Em7, E7b9, Am7, D7, Gmaj7, Abm7, Db7, Gbmaj7)