Purple Haze
by Jimi Hendrix
Difficulty Profile
Skill LevelOverall
IntermediateRhythm
IntermediateLead
AdvancedBass
IntermediateWhy "Purple Haze" Works Harmonically
Beyond standard guitar tabs and chord charts, discover the exact music theory mechanics, modal interchange, and voice leading choices that give Jimi Hendrix's classic its unforgettable emotional power.
The Dominant 7th Sharp 9th (Hendrix Chord) with Tritone Tension
The song opens with an ominous octave tritone leap between Bb and E, establishing hypnotic dread. Hendrix then unleashes the E7#9 chord—a major triad overlaid with an augmented 9th (G natural against G#). This simultaneous occurrence of major and minor thirds creates the quintessential psychedelic blues-rock clash.
Harmonic Progression (Roman Numerals)
I7#9 - ♭VII - IVStep-by-Step Movement
- •Intro Tritone (E to Bb): The "diabolus in musica" interval immediately disorienting the listener.
- •E7#9 (I7#9): The Hendrix chord blending major third stability with minor third blues grit.
- •G (♭VII) to A (IV): Parallel rock chords sliding into each other with thumb-over-the-neck grip.
- •Octavia Solo: High-register fuzz and octave-doubled screaming harmonics.
Voice Leading & Counterpoint
- ›The G natural in the E7#9 voicing clashes dissonantly with the G# in the lower register, generating magnetic acoustic friction.
- ›Hendrix slides the entire chord grip down or up a half-step for dramatic textural accents.
- ›The groove is anchored by the open Low E string thumping beneath the syncopated chord stabs.
Fretboard Mechanics
Fret the E7#9 with: open low E, middle finger on fret 7 of A, index on fret 6 of D, ring on fret 7 of G, and pinky on fret 8 of B. Mute the high E string with the side of the pinky.
Add an augmented 9th (#9) to your dominant 7th chords. It bridges the gap between major chord power and minor pentatonic soloing.
The source of the blue note (Bb) and sharp 9th (G natural).
The scale driving Jimi's explosive solo runs.
The dominant foundation of the 7th chords.
Mastering the 7#9 Hendrix chord.
The rock progression underlying the groove.
Musical Analysis
🎹 Key & Tonality
⏱️ Song Structure
💡 Understanding E dominant / E Mixolydian:
E dominant / E Mixolydian has a darker, more introspective character. The Mixolydian / Dominant Blues mode creates tension and emotion. This key is perfect for expressing melancholy or aggressive themes in rock music.
Primary scale for riffs, fills, and solo passages throughout the song
Adds the blue note (Bb) for gritty, aggressive riff passages and bends
Defines the dominant tonality with the natural 3rd (G#) and flat 7th (D), used in chord voicings and melodic passages
The harmonic character shaping E dominant / E Mixolydian
The harmonic character shaping E dominant / E Mixolydian
Understand major chord construction and voicings
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in E dominant / E Mixolydian
E minor pentatonic
Notes: E - G - A - B - D
Application: Primary scale for riffs, fills, and solo passages throughout the song
Interactive Fretboard Map
Chord Progressions & Movement
Main Progression
The iconic progression built around the 'Hendrix chord' (E7#9) with blues-rock power chord movement to G and A
💡 Theory Insight:
This progression creates a specific harmonic movement that defines the song's emotional character. Understanding the relationship between these chords helps in improvisation and songwriting.
Chord Shapes In This Section:
E7#9
G
A
Harmonic Functions & Roles:
- E7#9 (I7#9)The 'Hendrix chord' combines major and minor tonality, creating psychedelic ambiguity
- G (bIII)Borrowed from E minor, provides bluesy contrast and a dark harmonic pull
- A (IV)Subdominant movement delivering a momentary sense of resolution and lift
- F# (II)Used in chromatic passages to create tension against the bIII chord
Key Techniques
The Hendrix Chord (E7#9)
IntermediateThe signature E7#9 voicing that defines the song's sound, combining a dominant 7th with a sharp 9th to create a chord that is simultaneously major and minor
Uses chords:
Progression:
E7#9 stab with rhythmic accents
Technique Tips:
- •Practice the thumb-over-neck technique separately
- •Mute the high E string to avoid unwanted noise
- •Use a punchy, aggressive attack for authenticity
- •Hendrix often used his thumb to fret bass notes while playing chords
Octave Riffs and Hammer-Ons
IntermediateHendrixthe iconic vocal hooks melodic riff passages between chord stabs
Progression:
Octave riff leading into E7#9 - G - A
Technique Tips:
- •Practice hammer-ons with enough force for clear tone
- •Keep the fretting hand relaxed for quick movements
- •Mute unused strings with both hands to control noise
- •Use the fuzz pedal to help sustain hammer-on notes
Psychedelic Lead Techniques
AdvancedHendrix's expressive lead playing combining fuzz tone, whammy bar dives, feedback, and aggressive bending for the solo sections
Progression:
Over E7#9 - G - A progression
Technique Tips:
- •Crank the fuzz for authentic Hendrix solo tone
- •Practice controlled feedback by facing the amp
- •Study Hendrix's use of the whammy bar as an expressive tool
- •Focus on attitude and feel over technical precision
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of E dominant / E Mixolydian. Switch instrument sounds (Acoustic Steel, Nylon, Clean Electric, Piano) and practice at your own tempo.
Intro Riff
Tritone Stab & Octave Groove
The iconic opening riff featuring the tritone interval (Bb to E) played with fuzz, establishing the song's psychedelic character immediately
- •The opening uses the tritone interval (E to Bb) for dissonance
- •Heavy fuzz tone is essential for the sound
- •Hammer-ons create fluid movement between notes
Verse
Hendrix Chord E7#9 Groove
Verse section built around the E7#9 chord stabs with rhythmic accents, creating a hypnotic groove under the vocal melody
- •Aggressive E7#9 chord stabs with muted spaces between
- •Use thumb-over-neck technique for bass notes
- •Maintain tight rhythmic feel at 108 BPM
Guitar Solo
Octavia Fuzz Solo
A wild, fuzz-drenched guitar solo showcasing Hendrix's revolutionary approach to electric guitar with bends, whammy bar, and feedback
- •Based in E minor pentatonic with blues scale additions
- •Aggressive bending and whammy bar use throughout
- •Controlled feedback adds to the psychedelic atmosphere
Turnaround / Bridge
E7#9 Groove Outro
The bridge section with chromatic movement between F# and G, creating dissonant tension before resolving back to the main riff
- •Chromatic half-step movement creates tension
- •Power chord shapes moving up and down
- •Builds anticipation before the solo section
Equipment & Tone Setup
🎸 Guitar
Recommended Model:
Pickup Type:
Neck single-coil for warm lead tones, bridge pickup for aggressive riffs
Alternative Models:
⚡ Amplifier & Settings
Recommended Amp:
Tone Stack Dial-In:
Gain: 8-9 (cranked for natural overdrive)
Treble: 7 (bright and cutting)
Middle: 5 (scooped slightly for fuzz clarity)
Bass: 6 (full low end for power)
Presence: 7 (cutting high-end presence)
🎛️ Effects Pedals
Overdrive / Distortion:
Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face - germanium transistor fuzz, full gain
Reverb / Delay:
Natural amp reverb, moderate amount
Modulation / Other:
Roger Mayer Octavia (octave fuzz) for solo sections; Uni-Vibe for rotary speaker effect on select passages
Recommended Learning Path
⏱️ 2-3 weeks with regular practice
- •Learn E5, G5, and A5 power chord shapes
- •Practice the simplified main riff using power chords
- •Work on basic hammer-on technique from open strings
- •Develop steady rhythm at 108 BPM with metronome
⏱️ 4-6 weeks for authentic rhythm performance
- •Learn the E7#9 (Hendrix chord) voicing with thumb-over-neck
- •Practice the full intro riff with octave shapes
- •Develop hammer-on/pull-off fluency for riff passages
- •Work on the verse chord progression with proper rhythmic feel
⏱️ 6-10 weeks for complete mastery
- •Learn the guitar solo note-for-note
- •Develop fuzz pedal control and feedback technique
- •Master whammy bar techniques for pitch manipulation
- •Perform the complete song with all sections and dynamics
Practice Notes & Routine
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Not fretting the E7#9 chord cleanly - practice the stretch slowly
- •Losing the rhythmic groove by focusing too much on chord shapes
- •Over-using effects to compensate for sloppy technique
- •Playing the riff too cleanly - Hendrix was raw and aggressive
⏱️ Targeted Practice Routine
- •Warm up with E minor pentatonic and blues scale runs (5 minutes)
- •Practice E7#9 chord voicing with clean transitions (10 minutes)
- •Work on the intro riff with fuzz at slow tempo (10 minutes)
- •Practice the solo section in short phrase segments (10 minutes)
- •Full song run-through with backing track (5 minutes)
🎯 Key Focus Areas
- •E7#9 chord voicing and thumb-over-neck technique
- •Clean hammer-ons and pull-offs at tempo
- •Rhythmic precision and groove feel
- •Fuzz tone control and dynamic expression
⏱️ Metronome Drills
- •Start intro riff at 80 BPM, gradually increase to 108 BPM
- •Practice chord changes (E7#9 - G - A) at 90 BPM first
- •Solo phrasing: work at half speed focusing on bend accuracy
- •Full tempo run-through once comfortable with all sections