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Guitar chords · Add 9

Aadd9 chord on guitar

Aadd9 (A add 9) has four notes: A, C♯, E and B, the , 3, 5 and 9.

Shapes

How to play Aadd9

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

Aadd9 has an . A keeps its fingering anywhere on the neck: slide it up or down and the , on the lowest played string, names the chord.

  • Open

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Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes Aadd9 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 Aadd9 an add 9 chord; you can leave out the 5th.

  1. ARroot
  2. C♯3essential
  3. E5optional
  4. B9essential
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  • A, the root
  • Other chord tones

Keys

Keys with Aadd9

Aadd9 belongs to six keys: D major (Vadd9), A major (Iadd9), E major (IVadd9), B minor (VIIadd9), F♯ minor (IIIadd9) and C♯ minor (VIadd9).

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

Aadd9 over another bass note

A keeps Aadd9 on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • Aadd9/C♯

    Aadd9 with its 3rd, C♯, in the bass.

  • Aadd9/E

    Aadd9 with its 5th, E, in the bass.

Questions

Aadd9, in short

What notes are in the Aadd9 chord?
Aadd9 (A add 9) has four notes: A, C♯, E and B, the , 3, 5 and 9.
How do you play Aadd9 on guitar?
Aadd9 has an .
What key is Aadd9 in?
Aadd9 belongs to six keys: D major (Vadd9), A major (Iadd9), E major (IVadd9), B minor (VIIadd9), F♯ minor (IIIadd9) and C♯ minor (VIadd9).
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