Major Ninth Chords

Let’s look at how to play an E flat major 9 chord on the piano. We’ll also learn the pattern for building any other major ninth chord.

What Are Major Ninth Chords?

Major ninth chords are major chords with two added notes. The added notes are the seventh and ninth notes of the matching major scale.

So to build a major ninth chord, we’ll start by building a major chord. Major chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale (learn how to build major scales here).

Next we’ll add the seventh note of the matching major scale to the chord.

Since scales only have eight notes, we’ll repeat the scale into the next octave to find the ninth note, and then add it to the chord. The ninth note is the same as the second note of the scale, but one octave up.

Chord Types Printable

Learn to play 17 types of piano chords using 12 different root notes with this 35-page PDF! Chords are sorted both by their root note and type.

Get the Printable

How to Play an E Flat Major 9 Chord

So to play an E flat major 9 chord, we’ll start with an E flat major chord. We can build an E flat major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the E flat major scale: E♭ – G – B♭

Then we’ll find the seventh note of the scale and add it to the chord: D

Then we’ll repeat the scale into the next octave to find the ninth note: F

So to play an E flat major 9 chord, we’ll play:

E♭ – G – B♭ – D – F

Now you know how to play an E flat major 9 chord, and you can use this knowledge to build any other major ninth chord! First build a major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale. Then add the seventh note of the scale to the chord. Then repeat the scale into the next octave to find the ninth note, and add it to the chord.

Fingering

You probably can’t reach all these notes with one hand, so here are some options:

One option is to play an E flat octave with your left hand, and then play the remaining notes with your right hand using fingers 1 – 2 – 3 – 5 (thumbs are 1’s):

Left hand: E♭ – E♭

Right hand: G – B♭ – D – F

Another option is to play an E flat octave with your left hand, and then move the F down to the position of a second and play the remaining notes with your right hand using fingers 1 – 2 – 3 – 5:

Left hand: E♭ – E♭

Right hand: F – G – B♭ – D

Other Chord Types

Some of the other chord types you can learn are:

Major
Minor
Augmented
Diminished
Second
Minor Second
Suspended
Fifth
Sixth
Minor Sixth
Seventh
Minor Seventh
Major Seventh
Ninth
Minor Ninth

Conclusion

Now you know how to play an E flat major 9 chord on the piano, and you can use this knowledge to build any other major ninth chord!

These chords are more complex, but they sound really nice!