Guitar arpeggio
E Minor 9 Guitar Arpeggio
E Minor 9 is a five-note arpeggio built from E, G, B, D, and F#. It is also commonly called E Minor Ninth and Em9. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- E, G, B, D, F#
- Formula
- 1 b3 5 b7 9
- Semitones
- 0 3 7 10 14
- Chord symbols
- Em9, Emin9
- Also called
- E Minor NinthEm9
How to read this arpeggio
The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent E root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the E root notes and connect the remaining minor 9 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called E Minor Ninth or Em9.
Chord construction and defining tones
E minor 9 is defined by b3 (G), b7 (D), and 9 (F#). It extends a minor seventh chord with the natural ninth.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over Em9 and minor harmony where both the flat seventh and natural ninth are present.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the E Minor 9 arpeggio from one E root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Practice b3 (G), b7 (D), and 9 (F#) without the root first, then add the nearest root to hear the full chord identity.
- Create a line over Em9 that moves from the ninth through the flat seventh and resolves to the minor third.
Fretboard diagram
Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool
Start with E Minor 9 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard