How do you play the C# m7(b9)/E chord?

To play the C# m7(b9)/E chord on piano, play the C# m7(b9) 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# m7(b9)/E chord means a C# m7(b9) chord with E in the bass.

C# m7(b9)/E

Q: What notes are in the C# m7(b9)/E chord?

The C# m7(b9)/E chord uses the 5 notes of the C# m7(b9) chord — C# (Perfect unison), E (Minor third), G# (Perfect fifth), B (Minor seventh) and D (Minor ninth) — with E played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The C# m7(b9) chord consists of the C# (Perfect unison), E (Minor third), G# (Perfect fifth), B (Minor seventh) and D (Minor ninth) notes, with E as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a C# m7(b9)/E chord

How to play the C# m7(b9)/E chord

Play E as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find C# (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add E (Minor third) — 3 semitones above C#
Add G# (Perfect fifth) — 7 semitones above C#
Add B (Minor seventh) — 10 semitones above C#
Add D (Minor ninth) — 13 semitones above C#
Press all 6 notes simultaneously to sound the C# m7(b9)/E chord

Inversions with same root

E m7(add6)
E 7(add6)

Related chords with different root

C# m7(b9)
C# m7(b9)(#9)