Em9 Piano Chord

How to play the Em9 chord on piano

Split the recommended voicing between the hands: play E3 and D4 with the left hand and G4 and F#5 with the right. Suggested fingering is 5–1 on the left and 1–5 on the right (1 is the thumb). The perfect fifth B can usually be omitted from an extended chord, keeping the sound clear and the voicing manageable.

For a rootless voicing with a bass player, play D3, F#3, G3 and B3 with the left hand. Suggested fingering is 5–3–2–1 (1 is the thumb). Omit the root E because the bass supplies it. The right hand remains free for melody or improvisation.