How do you play the E m9(#5)/C# chord?

To play the E m9(#5)/C# chord on piano, play the E m9(#5) chord (E, G, C, D 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 m9(#5)/C# chord means a E m9(#5) chord with C# in the bass.

E m9(#5)/C#

Q: What notes are in the E m9(#5)/C# chord?

The E m9(#5)/C# chord uses the 5 notes of the E m9(#5) chord — E (Perfect unison), G (Minor third), C (Minor sixth), D (Minor seventh) and F# (Major ninth) — with C# played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The E m9(#5) chord consists of the E (Perfect unison), G (Minor third), C (Minor sixth), D (Minor seventh) and F# (Major ninth) notes, with C# as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a E m9(#5)/C# chord

How to play the E m9(#5)/C# chord

Play C# 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 F# (Major ninth) — 14 semitones above E
Press all 6 notes simultaneously to sound the E m9(#5)/C# chord