Aadd9 Guitar Chord

Aadd9 is an added ninth (add9) chord. It adds the ninth to a major chord without a seventh, giving a bright, shimmering sound. Its notes are A, C#, E and B. Below is one way to play it, with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.

Notes in Aadd9

NoteDegreeInterval
ARRoot
C#3Major 3rd
E5Perfect 5th
B9Major 9th

Formula: 1–3–5–9

Aadd9 chord shapes

Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.

  • Add9 shape 2fr

    Easiest
    ✕243✕
    Tab (6th → 1st string)
    x 0 2 4 2 x
    Fingers
    – – 2 4 3 –

How to play Aadd9 (easiest shape)

Shape: Add9 shape 2fr, tab x 0 2 4 2 x (6th to 1st string).

✕243✕
  1. 1Put your middle finger (2) on the 4th string at the 2nd fret.
  2. 2Put your ring finger (3) on the 2nd string at the 2nd fret.
  3. 3Put your pinky (4) on the 3rd string at the 4th fret.
  4. 4Let the 5th string ring open.
  5. 5Don't play the 6th string.
  6. 6Keep the 1st string quiet: stop your strum at the 2nd string, or let a fretting finger touch it lightly.
  7. 7Strum down from the 5th string to the 2nd string.

Aadd9: common questions

What notes are in the Aadd9 chord?
Aadd9 has 4 notes: A, C#, E and B. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–9.
Is there an easier way to play Aadd9?
The easiest shape on this page is "Add9 shape 2fr" (x 0 2 4 2 x). It needs no barre: each finger presses just one string.

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