How do you play the B 5(add9)/E chord?

To play the B 5(add9)/E chord on piano, play the B 5(add9) chord (B, F# and C#) with E as the lowest bass note. Place the E note below the other chord tones. Slash chords specify a particular bass note different from the chord root.

What is a slash chord?

A slash chord (or compound chord) is written as Chord/Bass and specifies both a chord and a bass note. The note to the right of the slash is played as the lowest note. The B 5(add9)/E chord means a B 5(add9) chord with E in the bass.

B 5(add9)/E

Q: What notes are in the B 5(add9)/E chord?

The B 5(add9)/E chord uses the 3 notes of the B 5(add9) chord — B (Perfect unison), F# (Perfect fifth) and C# (Major ninth) — with E played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The B 5(add9) chord consists of the B (Perfect unison), F# (Perfect fifth) and C# (Major ninth) notes, with E as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a B 5(add9)/E chord

How to play the B 5(add9)/E chord

Play E as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find B (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add F# (Perfect fifth) — 7 semitones above B
Add C# (Major ninth) — 14 semitones above B
Press all 4 notes simultaneously to sound the B 5(add9)/E chord

Related chords with different root

C# m7(add4)(no5)
C# m7(add11)(no5)
F# 7(sus4)
B sus2(add4)

Related slash chords

C# 11(sus4)/E
F# sus4/E
B sus2/E