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

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

E 9(b5)/F

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

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

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

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

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

Play F 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 A# (Diminished fifth) — 6 semitones above E
Add D (Minor seventh) — 10 semitones above E
Add F# (Major ninth) — 14 semitones above E
Press all 6 notes simultaneously to sound the E 9(b5)/F chord

Related slash chords

F# 9(#5)/F