Cadd9 Chord on Guitar
Notes C E G D. Start with open Cadd9 (x 3 2 0 3 0): the open C shape with the index finger lifted off string 2 and the pinky on string 2 fret 3 instead.
Chord · Cadd9 added 9th
Open Cadd9 · x 3 2 0 3 0
open strings
Cadd9 (G on top) · x 3 2 0 3 3
open strings
A-shape add9 (fret 3) · x 3 5 7 5 x
movable, no open strings
4-string add9 (fret 8) · x x 10 9 8 10
movable, no open strings
1 C3 E5 G9 D
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): ring (3), fret 3
- String 4 (D): middle (2), fret 2
- String 3 (G): open
- String 2 (B): pinky (4), fret 3
- String 1 (high e): open
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): middle (2), fret 3
- String 4 (D): index (1), fret 2
- String 3 (G): open
- String 2 (B): ring (3), fret 3
- String 1 (high e): pinky (4), fret 3
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): index (1), fret 3
- String 4 (D): middle (2), fret 5
- String 3 (G): pinky (4), fret 7
- String 2 (B): ring (3), fret 5
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): ring (3), fret 10
- String 3 (G): middle (2), fret 9
- String 2 (B): index (1), fret 8
- String 1 (high e): pinky (4), fret 10
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval from C |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | root |
| 3 | E | major 3rd |
| 5 | G | perfect 5th |
| 9 | D | major 9th |
Formula 1 3 5 9 (added 9th).
Also written C add 9.
Easier stand-in
C
Plain C has the same root, 3rd and 5th without the D, so it fits wherever Cadd9 is written. Cadd9 sounds more open; C is the fallback while the pinky is still slow.
Keys that contain Cadd9
| Key | Cadd9 is the |
|---|---|
| C major | Iadd9 |
| F major | Vadd9 |
| G major | IVadd9 |
| E minor | VIadd9 |
| A minor | IIIadd9 |
| D minor | VIIadd9 |
Minor keys here use the natural minor scale.
Playing Cadd9: what goes wrong
Cadd9 is C plus D
C major is C, E, G. Cadd9 keeps all three and adds D, the 9th. In the open shape the B string moves from fret 1 (C) to fret 3 (D); ring and middle fingers stay where they are in open C.
The shape that sits next to G and D
x 3 2 0 3 3 has fret 3 on strings 2 and 1, the same two notes (D and G) as the four-finger G (3 2 0 0 3 3) and Dsus4 (x x 0 2 3 3). From that G, ring and pinky stay down; middle and index each move over one string. In D (x x 0 2 3 2), the ring finger on string 2 fret 3 is already in place.
Start the strum on string 5
String 5 at fret 3 is C, the root. String 6 is not played: the open low E is a chord tone (the 3rd), but it puts E in the bass.
Related chords
Learn and practise Cadd9
- Metronomepractise the change to Cadd9 at 60 BPM
- How to read chord chartsstrings, frets, fingers, x and o
- Chord finder (chord namer)name any other shape you find
FAQ
What notes are in Cadd9?
C, E, G, D: the 1, 3, 5, 9 of the Cadd9 added 9th chord.
What is the difference between Cadd9 and Csus2?
Both contain D. Cadd9 keeps E, the 3rd (C E G D), so it is still a major chord. Csus2 replaces the 3rd with D (C D G), so it is neither major nor minor.
Is Cadd9 the same as C9?
No. C9 is a dominant chord: C, E, G, B♭ and D. Cadd9 has no 7th, only C, E, G and D.