Scale degrees · E major
The 9 of E is F♯
The 9 (nine) of E is F♯ (F sharp): a major ninth above the root.
E — the root, 1F♯ — the 9
How to find it
A 9th is a 2nd an octave up, so it takes the 2nd's letter: E, F.
Then the sound: a major ninth is 14 semitones above E, and the F that is 14 semitones up is F♯.
That is why it is F♯ and not G♭: G♭ is the same key on the piano, but from E it would be a 10th, not a 9th.
Where you meet it
The 9 is the 2 an octave up: the first extension on almost any chord, major, minor or dominant.
In Emaj9:
E · G♯ · B · D♯ · F♯
The 9 in every key
| Key | The 9 |
|---|---|
| C | D |
| G | A |
| D | E |
| A | B |
| E | F♯ |
| B | C♯ |
| F♯ | G♯ |
| D♭ | E♭ |
| A♭ | B♭ |
| E♭ | F |
| B♭ | C |
| F | G |
Every degree of E
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