Cadd9 Guitar Chord
Cadd9 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 C, E, G and D. Below are 2 ways to play it, each with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in Cadd9
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | Root |
| E | 3 | Major 3rd |
| G | 5 | Perfect 5th |
| D | 9 | Major 9th |
Formula: 1–3–5–9
Cadd9 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.
Open
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 3 2 0 3 0
- Fingers
- – 2 1 – 3 –
Add9 shape 3fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 3 5 7 5 x
- Fingers
- – 1 2 4 3 –
How to play Cadd9 (easiest shape)
Shape: Open, tab x 3 2 0 3 0 (6th to 1st string).
- 1Put your index finger (1) on the 4th string at the 2nd fret.
- 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 5th string at the 3rd fret.
- 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 2nd string at the 3rd fret.
- 4Let the 3rd and 1st strings ring open.
- 5Don't play the 6th string.
- 6Strum down from the 5th string to the 1st string.
Cadd9: common questions
- What notes are in the Cadd9 chord?
- Cadd9 has 4 notes: C, E, G and D. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–9.
- Is there an easier way to play Cadd9?
- The easiest shape on this page is "Open" (x 3 2 0 3 0). It needs no barre: each finger presses just one string.
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