7♯9 chord - piano
The 7♯9 chord, nicknamed 'Hendrix Chord', is a dominant chord with an augmented ninth. It creates characteristic blues tension and is emblematic of Jimi Hendrix's style.
Intervals
| Degree | I | III | V | ♭VII | ♯IX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | Root | Major third | Perfect fifth | Minor seventh | Augmented ninth |
| Semitones | 0 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 15 |
Formula 1 - 3 - 5 - ♭7 - ♯9
Theory
The 7♯9 chord raises the ninth by a semitone. E7♯9 = E-G♯-B-D-G (the augmented ninth G is enharmonic to F♯♯). The augmented ninth creates a semitone with the major third, producing characteristic blues dissonance. The fifth is often omitted to clarify the sound.
Examples
Example: Do 7♯9
Styles
Construction
Formula 1 - 3 - 5 - 7b - 9#: Hendrix chord. Blues rock, fusion.
Learning
Hendrix style. Blues rock. Altered fusion grooves.
How to play
Jimi Hendrix signature. Purple Haze. Blues rock fusion. Bluesy tension.