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#, F, 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), F (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), F (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 F (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 slash chords

D# 9(#5)/E