How do you play the E m7(alt)/A chord?

To play the E m7(alt)/A chord on piano, play the E m7(alt) chord (E, G, C, D and G) with A as the lowest bass note. Place the A 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 m7(alt)/A chord means a E m7(alt) chord with A in the bass.

E m7(alt)/A

Q: What notes are in the E m7(alt)/A chord?

The E m7(alt)/A chord uses the 5 notes of the E m7(alt) chord — E (Perfect unison), G (Minor third), C (Minor sixth), D (Minor seventh) and G (Minor tenth) — with A played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The E m7(alt) chord consists of the E (Perfect unison), G (Minor third), C (Minor sixth), D (Minor seventh) and G (Minor tenth) notes, with A as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a E m7(alt)/A chord

How to play the E m7(alt)/A chord

Play A as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find E (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add G (Minor third) — 3 semitones above E
Add C (Minor sixth) — 8 semitones above E
Add D (Minor seventh) — 10 semitones above E
Add G (Minor tenth) — 15 semitones above E
Press all 6 notes simultaneously to sound the E m7(alt)/A chord

Inversions with same root

A m7(add11)

Related chords with different root

C 6(add9)

Related slash chords

C add2/A
C add9/A
E m7(#5)/A