How do you play the C# 9(b5)/E# chord?

To play the C# 9(b5)/E# chord on piano, play the C# 9(b5) chord (C#, E#, G, B 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# 9(b5)/E# chord means a C# 9(b5) chord with E# in the bass.

C# 9(b5)/E#

Q: What notes are in the C# 9(b5)/E# chord?

The C# 9(b5)/E# chord uses the 5 notes of the C# 9(b5) chord — C# (Perfect unison), E# (Major third), G (Diminished fifth), B (Minor seventh) and D# (Major ninth) — with E# played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The C# 9(b5) chord consists of the C# (Perfect unison), E# (Major third), G (Diminished fifth), B (Minor seventh) and D# (Major ninth) notes, with E# as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a C# 9(b5)/E# chord

How to play the C# 9(b5)/E# chord

Play E# as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find C# (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add E# (Major third) — 4 semitones above C#
Add G (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above C#
Add B (Minor seventh) — 10 semitones above C#
Add D# (Major ninth) — 14 semitones above C#
Press all 6 notes simultaneously to sound the C# 9(b5)/E# chord

Related chords with different root

C# 9(b5)
Eb 9(#5)

Related slash chords

Eb 7(#5)/F