How to play the Eb7#9 chord on guitar

The Eb7#9 chord, pronounced E-flat dominant sharp ninth, is a vibrant and jazzy voicing. Notable for its distinct sharpened ninth tone, this chord adds a bluesy and somewhat dissonant flavor to progressions. The Eb7#9 is prominently featured in genres like jazz, blues, and funk. It can be heard in iconic songs such as Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" and Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon."

The most common way to play an Eb7#9 chord on guitar is as a barre chord starting on the 6th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play an Eb7#9 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 6th fret to form a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, place your fingers in the correct positions and strum all six strings together in a downward motion.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Eb7#9 chord, try playing an Eb7 chord instead. Place your index finger on the 6th fret of the 1st (high E) string, your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 5th (A) string, and your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.

Playing the Eb7#9 chord as a barre chord can be a great way to add a fuller, richer sound to your playing, especially when you need to quickly transition between chords.

Here's how to play an Eb7#9 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 6th fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum from the 6th (low E) string down to the 1st (high E) string.

The Eb7#9 chord is often used as a passing chord or a tension-building device in chord progressions, creating a sense of unresolved dissonance and anticipation. These progressions can evoke a bluesy, jazzy, or even unsettling emotional feel. Here are some common Eb7#9 chord progressions:

• I - IV - Eb7#9 - I (Eb - Ab - Eb7#9 - Eb)
• I - vi - ii - Eb7#9 - V7 (Eb - Cm - Fm - Eb7#9 - Bb7) Used in "Fools Rush In" and "Misty"
• I - vi - Eb7#9 - V7 (Eb - Cm - Eb7#9 - Bb7)
• ii - V7 - I - Eb7#9 (Fm - Bb7 - Eb - Eb7#9)
• I - Eb7#9 - IV - V7 (Eb - Eb7#9 - Ab - Bb7)

To master the Eb7#9 chord, start by playing each note individually, focusing on clean fretting and consistent tone. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between the notes in different sequences, such as Eb-G-Bb-Db-F# or Bb-Db-F#-Eb-G.

Next, work on playing the notes simultaneously, strumming the chord and letting it ring out. Experiment with various rhythms and strumming patterns to develop muscle memory and familiarity with the chord shape. Regularly incorporate the Eb7#9 into your practice sessions, playing it in different progressions and songs to reinforce your understanding of its sound and application.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Eb7#9 chord.

1. Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix (Eb7#9, G, A)
2. Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix (Eb7#9, F#, G, E)
3. Machine Gun by Jimi Hendrix (Eb7#9, G, Gb, A, Ab)
4. Spanish Castle Magic by Jimi Hendrix (Eb7#9, G, A, F)
5. Freedom by Jimi Hendrix (Eb7#9, G, F#)
6. Lonely Avenue by Ray Charles (Eb7#9, Ab, Bb7, Eb)
7. Drifting Blues by Charles Brown (Eb7#9, Ab, Bb7, Eb)
8. The Thrill Is Gone by B.B. King (Bm, Eb7#9, G)
9. Lowdown in Lodi by Henry Vestine (Eb7#9, Ab7, Eb9)
10. I Put a Spell on You by Screamin' Jay Hawkins (Eb7#9, Cm, Ab, Bb7)