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

To play the E 5(add9)/C chord on piano, play the E 5(add9) chord (E, B and F#) with C as the lowest bass note. Place the C 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 E 5(add9)/C chord means a E 5(add9) chord with C in the bass.

E 5(add9)/C

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inversions with same root

C maj7(b5)

Related chords with different root

F# 11(b5)(sus4)

Related slash chords

E sus2/C
F# 11(sus4)/C
B sus4/C