How do you play the G maj9/E chord?

To play the G maj9/E chord on piano, play the G maj9 chord (G, B, D, F# and A) with E as the lowest bass note. Place the E 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 G maj9/E chord means a G maj9 chord with E in the bass.

G maj9/E

Q: What notes are in the G maj9/E chord?

The G maj9/E chord uses the 5 notes of the G maj9 chord — G (Perfect unison), B (Major third), D (Perfect fifth), F# (Major seventh) and A (Major ninth) — with E played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The G maj9 chord consists of the G (Perfect unison), B (Major third), D (Perfect fifth), F# (Major seventh) and A (Major ninth) notes, with E as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a G maj9/E chord

How to play the G maj9/E chord

Play E as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find G (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add B (Major third) — 4 semitones above G
Add D (Perfect fifth) — 7 semitones above G
Add F# (Major seventh) — 11 semitones above G
Add A (Major ninth) — 14 semitones above G
Press all 6 notes simultaneously to sound the G maj9/E chord

Inversions with same root

E m11

Related chords with different root

G maj13

Related slash chords

B m7(b13)/E