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

To play the C 5(add9)/E chord on piano, play the C 5(add9) chord (C, G and D) 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 C 5(add9)/E chord means a C 5(add9) chord with E in the bass.

C 5(add9)/E

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inversions with same root

E m7(#5)
E m7(alt)

Related chords with different root

C add2
C add9

Related slash chords

C sus2/E
D 11(sus4)/E
G sus4/E