E Dominant Ninth Chord
Chord Tones: E Dominant Ninth Chord
Symbol: 9 — Formula: 1-3-5-♭7-9
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | 329.628 Hz |
| 3 | G# | 415.305 Hz |
| 5 | B | 493.883 Hz |
| ♭7 | D | 293.665 Hz |
| 9 | F# | 369.994 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | E9 |
| All Common Symbols | 9 |
| Interval Formula | 1-3-5-♭7-9 |
| Harmonic Category | tense |
Roman numeral (e.g. I, IV, V) and Nashville Number notation are key-dependent. See Keys pages for chord function within specific keys.
Inversions
| Inversion | Notes (low to high) | Bass Note | Slash Notation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Position | E – G# – B – D – F# | E | E Dominant Ninth Chord |
| First Inversion | G# – B – D – F# – E | G# | E Dominant Ninth Chord/G# |
| Second Inversion | B – D – F# – E – G# | B | E Dominant Ninth Chord/B |
| Third Inversion | D – F# – E – G# – B | D | E Dominant Ninth Chord/D |
| Fourth Inversion | F# – E – G# – B – D | F# | E Dominant Ninth Chord/F# |
Harmonic Function
The E dominant ninth chord commonly functions as the mediant (iii) in C major or dominant (V) in A major. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides stable harmonic grounding.
The dominant ninth chord extends the dominant seventh with a ninth, adding color and richness to one of music's most harmonically active chords. Essential in jazz, blues, and funk.
Common Progressions
The E Dominant Ninth Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
V9-Iii9-V9-I
Songs Featuring the Dominant Ninth Chord
Well-known songs where the E Dominant Ninth Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix
- What's Going On – Marvin Gaye
- Superstition – Stevie Wonder
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| G# | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| F# | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
Scales Containing the E Dominant Ninth Chord
These scales include the E Dominant Ninth Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: