How to play the Ebmaj9 chord on guitar

The Ebmaj9 chord, pronounced E-flat major ninth, is a rich and complex guitar voicing that adds a dreamy, jazzy flavor to progressions. Notable for its lush, open sound, the Ebmaj9 is favored in jazz, neo-soul, and R&B music. It can be heard in songs like "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder and "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" by John Mayer.

The Ebmaj9 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 6th fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a Ebmaj9 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger on the 6th fret, barring all six strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, simply play all six strings together in a downward motion. You can also experiment with different strumming patterns to add variety to your playing.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Ebmaj9 chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd (G) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th (A) string.
3. Strum only the top three strings (G, B, and high E).

The Ebmaj9 chord is typically played as an open chord, but learning the barre chord version can be useful for situations where you need to quickly transition to other chords or want a fuller sound.

Here's how to play an Ebmaj9 barre chord:

1. Barre your index finger across the 6th fret, covering all six strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum all six strings from low to high.

The Ebmaj9 chord adds a dreamy, ethereal quality to chord progressions, creating a sense of emotional depth and sophistication. Some common Ebmaj9 chord progressions include:

• I - vi - ii - V (Ebmaj9 - Cm7 - Fm7 - Bb7) Used in "Misty" and "Girl from Ipanema"
• ii - V - I (Fm7 - Bb7 - Ebmaj9) Used in "Satin Doll" and "Fly Me to the Moon"
• iii - vi - ii - V (Gm7 - Cm7 - Fm7 - Bb7)
• I - vi - IV - V (Ebmaj9 - Cm7 - Abmaj7 - Bb7)
• I - iii - IV - V (Ebmaj9 - Gm7 - Abmaj7 - Bb7)

To master the Ebmaj9 guitar chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, starting with the lowest note and ascending to the highest. Focus on clarity and precision as you pluck each string. Once you've played all the notes, strum the full chord, letting each note ring out harmoniously.

Another effective drill is to practice transitioning to and from Ebmaj9. Choose a chord progression that includes Ebmaj9, and play it slowly at first, ensuring smooth transitions between chords. Gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the changes.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Ebmaj9 chord.

1. Riders on the Storm by The Doors (Dm7, Ebmaj9, Bbmaj7)
2. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper (Ebmaj9, Abmaj7, Fm7, Bb7sus4)
3. What's Going On by Marvin Gaye (Ebmaj9, Dm7, Cm7, Fm7)
4. Peg by Steely Dan (Ebmaj9, Dm7, Cm7, F7)
5. Careless Whisper by George Michael (Ebmaj9, Dm7, Gm7, C7)
6. Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma (Ebmaj9, Cm7, Fm7, Bbmaj7)
7. Misty by Erroll Garner (Ebmaj9, Cm7, Fm7, Bb7)
8. All the Things You Are by Jerome Kern (Ebmaj9, Am7, D7, Gmaj7)
9. Girl from Ipanema by Antonio Carlos Jobim (Ebmaj9, Dm7, Gm7, C7)
10. My Favorite Things by Richard Rodgers (Ebmaj9, Cm7, Fm7, Bb7)