E Major Ninth Guitar Arpeggio

E Major Ninth Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals

Notes: E, G#, B, D#, F#

Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M

Formula: 2W-WH-2W-WH

Number of notes: 5

Also known as: maj9, Δ9, ^9

The E Major Ninth arpeggio contains 5 notes (E, G#, B, D#, F#). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.

When to Use the E Major Ninth Arpeggio

Play the E Major Ninth arpeggio whenever a E Major Ninth chord appears in a progression. Unlike scales (which include passing tones), arpeggios guarantee every note you play IS a chord tone, making your solo sound harmonically precise and intentional.

Arpeggio vs. Scale

The E Major Ninth arpeggio uses 5 notes (E, G#, B, D#, F#) while the full scale uses 7. The arpeggio is a subset — think of it as the skeleton of the scale. Practice alternating between the arpeggio and the full scale to develop a melodic vocabulary that mixes chord tones with passing tones.

How to Play E Major Ninth Arpeggio on Guitar

Start the E Major Ninth arpeggio in open position, using the open E string as your root. This 5-note arpeggio (E, G#, B, D#, F#) benefits from economy picking, combining sweep and alternate picking motions. Practice isolating two-string pairs to build coordination before linking the full shape.

The E Major Ninth arpeggio outlines a E major chord and works perfectly over E, Emaj7, E6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.

Practice Routine

Play the E Major Ninth arpeggio as whole notes over a backing track or drone on E. Focus on intonation and tone quality for each of the 5 notes (E, G#, B, D#, F#). After a few passes, begin improvising short melodic phrases built from these arpeggio tones, connecting them with passing notes.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, practice the E Major Ninth arpeggio using sweep picking across all six strings. Start with downstrokes ascending and upstrokes descending at a slow tempo, keeping each note separated rather than blurred. Mute unused strings with your fretting hand to keep the sound clean.

Related Resources

Explore E Major Ninth in Other Tunings

• E Major Ninth in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• E Major Ninth in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• E Major Ninth in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• E Major Ninth in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• E Major Ninth in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• E Major Ninth in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• E Major Ninth in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• E Major Ninth in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• E Major Ninth in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• E Major Ninth in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• E Major Ninth in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• E Major Ninth in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• E Major Ninth in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• E Major Ninth in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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