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Guitar chords · Add 9

Dadd9 chord on guitar

Dadd9 (D add 9) has four notes: D, F♯, A and E, the , 3, 5 and 9.

Shapes

How to play Dadd9

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

Dadd9 has no common . Play it as the A shape at 5. A keeps its fingering anywhere on the neck: slide it up or down and the , on the lowest played string, names the chord.

  • A shape · fret 5

    5fr××R593DAEF♯
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes Dadd9 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 Dadd9 an add 9 chord; you can leave out the 5th.

  1. DRroot
  2. F♯3essential
  3. A5optional
  4. E9essential
EADGBE0135791215DDDDDDDDEF♯AEF♯AEF♯AEF♯AEAEF♯AEF♯AEF♯AEF♯
  • D, the root
  • Other chord tones

Keys

Keys with Dadd9

Dadd9 belongs to six keys: G major (Vadd9), D major (Iadd9), A major (IVadd9), E minor (VIIadd9), B minor (IIIadd9) and F♯ 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

Dadd9 over another bass note

A keeps Dadd9 on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • Dadd9/F♯

    Dadd9 with its 3rd, F♯, in the bass.

  • Dadd9/A

    Dadd9 with its 5th, A, in the bass.

Questions

Dadd9, in short

What notes are in the Dadd9 chord?
Dadd9 (D add 9) has four notes: D, F♯, A and E, the , 3, 5 and 9.
How do you play Dadd9 on guitar?
Dadd9 has no common . Play it as the A shape at 5.
What key is Dadd9 in?
Dadd9 belongs to six keys: G major (Vadd9), D major (Iadd9), A major (IVadd9), E minor (VIIadd9), B minor (IIIadd9) and F♯ minor (VIadd9).
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