Gadd9 Guitar Chord
Gadd9 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 G, B, D and A. Below is one way to play it, with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in Gadd9
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| G | R | Root |
| B | 3 | Major 3rd |
| D | 5 | Perfect 5th |
| A | 9 | Major 9th |
Formula: 1–3–5–9
Gadd9 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 10fr
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 10 12 14 12 x
- Fingers
- – 1 2 4 3 –
How to play Gadd9 (easiest shape)
Shape: Add9 shape 10fr, tab x 10 12 14 12 x (6th to 1st string).
- 1Put your index finger (1) on the 5th string at the 10th fret.
- 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 4th string at the 12th fret.
- 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 2nd string at the 12th fret.
- 4Put your pinky (4) on the 3rd string at the 14th fret.
- 5Don't play the 6th string.
- 6Keep the 1st string quiet: stop your strum at the 2nd string, or let a fretting finger touch it lightly.
- 7Strum down from the 5th string to the 2nd string.
Gadd9: common questions
- What notes are in the Gadd9 chord?
- Gadd9 has 4 notes: G, B, D and A. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–9.
- Is there an easier way to play Gadd9?
- The easiest shape on this page is "Add9 shape 10fr" (x 10 12 14 12 x). It needs no barre: each finger presses just one string.
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