How do you play the G# major/E chord?

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

G# major/E

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

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

The G# major chord consists of the G# (Perfect unison), C (Major third) and D# (Perfect fifth) notes, with E as the bass note.

Piano keyboard showing the notes for a G# major/E chord

How to play the G# major/E chord

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

Inversions with same root

E maj7(#5)

Related slash chords

C m(#5)/E