Aadd9 chord

Shimmering and modern. A plain major chord with a 9th added on top, keeping the third intact.

A added 9th · 1 voicing

Notes in Aadd9

A
root
B
2nd
C♯
3rd
E
5th

How to Play Aadd9

Aadd9 chord, Open position

Open position

x 0 2 4 2 0

Numbers under each diagram are frets, string 6 (thickest) to string 1. x means don't play that string; 0 means play it open.

How Aadd9 Relates to Other Chords

It is built on A with an extra note added on top, so it can stand in wherever that chord appears.

Playing tips for Aadd9

Aadd9 has an open-position shape, which means some strings ring open and it is playable without barring. Press just behind the fret rather than on top of it, keep your fingertips arched so they do not deaden neighbouring strings, and strum only the strings the diagram marks as played.

If a string buzzes or sounds dead, the usual causes are a fingertip leaning against it, not quite enough pressure, or a finger too far behind the fret. Play each string one at a time to find which one is failing before adjusting the whole shape — and make sure your guitar is in tune first, since an out-of-tune string will make a correct shape sound wrong. Use our free online tuner to check.

Tune first

Chord shapes only sound right on a guitar that is in tune. Check yours in a few seconds.

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