E7#9 (otherwise known as the Hendrix Chord) is an interesting alternative to an E or E5.
It sounds really gritty and bluesy and works well if you want songs in E to sound a bit more ‘out there’. ‘Ideal for ‘Undignified’ or ‘I’ve Found Jesus’ endings.
Warning! Do not play this chord at sensitive moments in church! I did, but I don’t think anyone noticed.
The techie bit:
Its an “E” Chord with both major and minor 3rds!
The major 3rd is just a 3rd but
The minor 3rd is actually a #9 – no really!
Jimi would use this as a root chord (in the key of E)
Stevie Ray Vaughn would play it as a dominant 7th (in the key of Am)
Get jazzy! ..add a Bb in the bass between the E7#9 and the Am.
One Comment
. . . and the Dove Award for most inappropriate use of E7#9 in a worship setting goes to . . . Billy Sanders for his daring use of E7#9 in ‘Here I am To Worship’ at the 8am service at St Kev’s By the Sea on February 14th, 2009. It also set him up for a delightful wah solo during the bridge in what was described as “a bombastic demonstration of his heart to bring the spirit of Hendrix into the context of an early morning worship service.” Inspirational.