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Guitar chords · Add 9

Cadd9 chord on guitar

Cadd9 (C add 9) has four notes: C, E, G and D, the , 3, 5 and 9.

Shapes

How to play Cadd9

Strum a shape to hear it, or pick it one string at a time. R marks the ; the other numbers are the chord tones.

Cadd9 has an , and one : the A shape at 3. A movable shape keeps its fingering anywhere on the neck: slide it up or down and the , on the lowest played string, names the chord.

  • Open

    ×R39CEGDE
  • A shape · fret 3

    3fr××R593CGDE
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes Cadd9 add 9

An add9 chord is a major chord with the 9th (the 2nd, an up) added on top. Unlike a sus2, it keeps its 3rd, so it still sounds major, just brighter and more open.

  • 1Root: the note the chord is named after. Keep it.
  • 3Essential: makes the chord what it is. Never drop it.
  • 5Optional: drop it first when you run out of fingers.

The 3rd and the 9th make Cadd9 an add 9 chord; you can leave out the 5th.

  1. CRroot
  2. E3essential
  3. G5optional
  4. D9essential
EADGBE0135791215CCCCCCCCEGDEGDEGDEGDEGDEGDEGDEGDEG
  • C, the root
  • Other chord tones

Keys

Keys with Cadd9

Cadd9 belongs to six keys: C major (Iadd9), G major (IVadd9), F major (Vadd9), A minor (IIIadd9), E minor (VIadd9) and D minor (VIIadd9).

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Slash chords

Cadd9 over another bass note

A keeps Cadd9 on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • Cadd9/E

    Cadd9 with its 3rd, E, in the bass.

  • Cadd9/G

    Cadd9 with its 5th, G, in the bass.

Questions

Cadd9, in short

What notes are in the Cadd9 chord?
Cadd9 (C add 9) has four notes: C, E, G and D, the , 3, 5 and 9.
How do you play Cadd9 on guitar?
Cadd9 has an , and one : the A shape at 3.
What key is Cadd9 in?
Cadd9 belongs to six keys: C major (Iadd9), G major (IVadd9), F major (Vadd9), A minor (IIIadd9), E minor (VIadd9) and D minor (VIIadd9).
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