How do you play the G# 5(add9)/E chord?

To play the G# 5(add9)/E chord on piano, play the G# 5(add9) chord (G#, D# 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# 5(add9)/E chord means a G# 5(add9) chord with E in the bass.

G# 5(add9)/E

Q: What notes are in the G# 5(add9)/E chord?

The G# 5(add9)/E chord uses the 3 notes of the G# 5(add9) chord — G# (Perfect unison), D# (Perfect fifth) and A# (Major ninth) — with E played as the bass note in the lowest register.

The G# 5(add9) chord consists of the G# (Perfect unison), D# (Perfect fifth) and A# (Major ninth) notes, with E as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a G# 5(add9)/E chord

How to play the G# 5(add9)/E chord

Play E as the lowest bass note in the left hand
Find G# (Root) on the piano keyboard
Add D# (Perfect fifth) — 7 semitones above G#
Add A# (Major ninth) — 14 semitones above G#
Press all 4 notes simultaneously to sound the G# 5(add9)/E chord

Inversions with same root

E maj7(b5)

Related chords with different root

A# 11(b5)(sus4)

Related slash chords

D# sus4/E
G# sus2/E
A# 11(sus4)/E