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

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

D 9(b5)/E

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

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

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

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

How to play the D 9(b5)/E chord

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

Inversions with same root

E 9(#5)

Related chords with different root

D 9(b5)

Related slash chords

D 7(b5)/E
G# 7(b5)/E