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Guitar chords · Add 9

Eadd9 chord on guitar

Eadd9 (E add 9) has four notes: E, G♯, B and F♯, the , 3, 5 and 9.

Shapes

How to play Eadd9

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

Eadd9 has an , and one : the A shape at 7. A movable shape keeps its fingering anywhere on the neck: slide it up or down and the , on the lowest played string, names the chord.

  • Open

    593EBF♯G♯BE
  • A shape · fret 7

    7fr××R593EBF♯G♯
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes Eadd9 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 Eadd9 an add 9 chord; you can leave out the 5th.

  1. ERroot
  2. G♯3essential
  3. B5optional
  4. F♯9essential
EADGBE0135791215EEEEEEEEEF♯G♯BF♯BF♯G♯BF♯G♯BG♯BF♯G♯BF♯G♯BF♯G♯BF♯
  • E, the root
  • Other chord tones

Keys

Keys with Eadd9

Eadd9 belongs to six keys: A major (Vadd9), E major (Iadd9), B major (IVadd9), F♯ minor (VIIadd9), C♯ minor (IIIadd9) and G♯ 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

Eadd9 over another bass note

A keeps Eadd9 on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • Eadd9/G♯

    Eadd9 with its 3rd, G♯, in the bass.

  • Eadd9/B

    Eadd9 with its 5th, B, in the bass.

Questions

Eadd9, in short

What notes are in the Eadd9 chord?
Eadd9 (E add 9) has four notes: E, G♯, B and F♯, the , 3, 5 and 9.
How do you play Eadd9 on guitar?
Eadd9 has an , and one : the A shape at 7.
What key is Eadd9 in?
Eadd9 belongs to six keys: A major (Vadd9), E major (Iadd9), B major (IVadd9), F♯ minor (VIIadd9), C♯ minor (IIIadd9) and G♯ minor (VIadd9).
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