How do you play the E 7(alt)/Bb chord?

To play the E 7(alt)/Bb chord on piano, play the E 7(alt) chord (E, G#, B#, D and F##) with Bb as the lowest bass note. Place the Bb 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 7(alt)/Bb chord means a E 7(alt) chord with Bb in the bass.

E 7(alt)/Bb

Q: What notes are in the E 7(alt)/Bb chord?

The E 7(alt)/Bb chord uses the 5 notes of the E 7(alt) chord — E (Perfect unison), G# (Major third), B# (Minor sixth), D (Minor seventh) and F## (Minor tenth) — with Bb played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The E 7(alt) chord consists of the E (Perfect unison), G# (Major third), B# (Minor sixth), D (Minor seventh) and F## (Minor tenth) notes, with Bb as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a E 7(alt)/Bb chord

How to play the E 7(alt)/Bb chord

Play Bb as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find E (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add G# (Major third) — 4 semitones above E
Add B# (Minor sixth) — 8 semitones above E
Add D (Minor seventh) — 10 semitones above E
Add F## (Minor tenth) — 15 semitones above E
Press all 6 notes simultaneously to sound the E 7(alt)/Bb chord