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Guitar chords · Add 9

Gadd9 chord on guitar

Gadd9 (G add 9) has four notes: G, B, D and A, the , 3, 5 and 9.

Shapes

How to play Gadd9

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

Gadd9 has an , and one : the A shape at 10. 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

    R39RGBDABG
  • A shape · fret 10

    10fr××R593GDAB
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes Gadd9 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 Gadd9 an add 9 chord; you can leave out the 5th.

  1. GRroot
  2. B3essential
  3. D5optional
  4. A9essential
EADGBE0135791215GGGGGGGGGABDABDABDABDABDABDABDABD
  • G, the root
  • Other chord tones

Keys

Keys with Gadd9

Gadd9 belongs to six keys: C major (Vadd9), G major (Iadd9), D major (IVadd9), A minor (VIIadd9), E minor (IIIadd9) and B 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

Gadd9 over another bass note

A keeps Gadd9 on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • Gadd9/B

    Gadd9 with its 3rd, B, in the bass.

  • Gadd9/D

    Gadd9 with its 5th, D, in the bass.

Questions

Gadd9, in short

What notes are in the Gadd9 chord?
Gadd9 (G add 9) has four notes: G, B, D and A, the , 3, 5 and 9.
How do you play Gadd9 on guitar?
Gadd9 has an , and one : the A shape at 10.
What key is Gadd9 in?
Gadd9 belongs to six keys: C major (Vadd9), G major (Iadd9), D major (IVadd9), A minor (VIIadd9), E minor (IIIadd9) and B minor (VIadd9).
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