What notes are in the E9 chord?

E9 is made of E, G#, D and F#: the root, major 3rd, minor 7th and major 2nd above E.

What is the easiest way to play E9?

Play xx2132 (low E to high E): mute the low E and A strings.

E9 chord on guitar

E9 is a dominant ninth chord: funky and full. It is built from E, G#, D and F# (formula 1 3 ♭7 9). Dominant ninths are the classic funk and soul rhythm chord, and a richer swap for a plain seventh. The easiest way to play it in standard tuning is xx2132.

x x 2 1 3 2

x 7 4 7 5 4

12 9 12 9 9 12

E9 fingerings (low E to high E)

Fret 1: xx2132. Mute the low E and A strings.
Barre at fret 4: x74754. Mute the low E string, barre fret 4 from the D to the high E string.
Barre at fret 9: 12-9-12-9-9-12. Barre fret 9 from the A to the B string.

Questions

What notes are in the E9 chord?: E9 is made of E, G#, D and F#: the root, major 3rd, minor 7th and major 2nd above E.
What is the easiest way to play E9?: Play xx2132 (low E to high E): mute the low E and A strings.

Also try: E Major · E Minor · E7 · Emaj7 · Chord Charts