E Major Ninth Chord
Chord Tones: E Major Ninth Chord
Symbol: maj9, M9, △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# | 311.127 Hz |
| 9 | F# | 369.994 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | Emaj9 |
| All Common Symbols | maj9, M9, △9 |
| Interval Formula | 1-3-5-7-9 |
| Harmonic Category | lush |
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 Major Ninth Chord |
| First Inversion | G# – B – D# – F# – E | G# | E Major Ninth Chord/G# |
| Second Inversion | B – D# – F# – E – G# | B | E Major Ninth Chord/B |
| Third Inversion | D# – F# – E – G# – B | D# | E Major Ninth Chord/D# |
| Fourth Inversion | F# – E – G# – B – D# | F# | E Major Ninth Chord/F# |
Harmonic Function
The E major 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 major ninth chord extends the major seventh with a ninth, creating a lush, sophisticated sound central to jazz and R&B. It conveys spaciousness, warmth, and harmonic richness.
Common Progressions
The E Major Ninth Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
Imaj9-IVmaj9Imaj9-ii9
Songs Featuring the Major Ninth Chord
Well-known songs where the E Major Ninth Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Nights in White Satin – Moody Blues
- Clair de Lune – Debussy (adapted)
- Once in a While – jazz standard
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# | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| F# | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
Scales Containing the E Major Ninth Chord
These scales include the E Major Ninth Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: