An add9 chord is a chord to which the ninth scale degree is added.
A ninth scale degree is commonly added to a:
- Major or minor triad.
- Power chord.
- Major or minor sixth chord (creating a 6/9 chord).
This post will cover how to construct add9 and 6/9 chords and provide examples for each type of chord.
It will also provide common fingerings for each chord, along with instruction on how to play them on a guitar with any root note.
Identifying the Ninth Scale Degree
To find the ninth scale degree, we need to extend a major scale beyond its root note’s octave (the scale’s eighth note) and assign degree (or scale step) numbers to the additional notes.
Extended C Major Scale
An extended C major scale is shown in fig.1 with its scale degrees labeled.
As you can see, the ninth degree of a major scale is the same note as its second degree, an octave higher. In a C major scale, the ninth degree is D.
Fig.1
Extended E Major Scale
An extended E major scale is shown in fig.2 with its scale degrees labeled.
In an E major scale, the ninth degree is F#.
Fig.2
Major Add9 Chords: Theory
The chord formula for a major add9 chord is 1, 3, 5, 9.
A major add9 chord contains the first, third, fifth and ninth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Cadd9 Chord
For example, a Cadd9 chord contains the notes C, E, G and D — the first, third, fifth and ninth notes in a C major scale (fig.3a).
Eadd9 Chord
An Eadd9 chord contains the notes E, G#, B and F# — the first, third, fifth and ninth notes in an E major scale (fig.3b).
Fig.3
Major Add9 Chords: On a Guitar
Fig.4 shows a common fingering for a major add9 chord.
Fig.4
This fingering will allow you to play a major add9 chord with any root note:
- To play a Cadd9 chord, place the barre on the eighth fret (fig.5a).
- To play an Eadd9 chord, place the barre on the 12th fret (fig.5b).
Fig.5
Minor Add9 Chords: Theory
The chord formula for a minor add9 chord is 1, b3, 5, 9.
A minor add9 chord contains the first, flatted third, fifth and ninth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Cmadd9 Chord
For example, a Cmadd9 chord contains the notes C, Eb, G and D — the first, flatted third, fifth and ninth notes in a C major scale (fig.6a) .
Emadd9 Chord
An Emadd9 chord contains the notes E, G, B and F# — the first, flatted third, fifth and ninth notes in an E major scale (fig.6b) .
Fig.6
Minor Add9 Chords: On a Guitar
Fig.7 shows a common fingering for a minor add9 chord.
Fig.7
This fingering will allow you to play a minor add9 chord with any root note:
- To play a Cmadd9 chord, place the barre on the eighth fret (fig.8a).
- To play an Emadd9 chord, place the barre on the 12th fret (fig.8b).
Fig.8
Add9 Power Chords: Theory
The chord formula for an add9 power chord is 1, 5, 9.
An add9 power chord contains the first, fifth and ninth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
C5add9
For example, a C5add9 contains the notes C, G and D — the first, fifth and ninth notes in a C major scale (fig.9a).
E5add9
An E5add9 contains the notes E, B and F# — the first, fifth and ninth notes in an E major scale (fig.9b).
Fig.9
Add9 Power Chords: On a Guitar
Fig.10 shows a common fingering for an add9 power chord.
Fig.10
This fingering will allow you to play an add9 power chord with any root note:
- To play a C5add9 chord, place your first finger on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.11a).
- To play an E5add9 chord, place your first finger on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.11b).
Fig.11
6/9 Chords
The ninth scale degree can also be added to a major or minor sixth chord, creating a 6/9 chord.
Major 6/9 Chords: Theory
The chord formula for a major 6/9 chord is: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9.
A major 6/9 chord contains the first, third, fifth, sixth and ninth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
C6/9 Chord
For example, a C6/9 chord contains the notes C, E, G, A, and D — the first, third, fifth, sixth and ninth notes in a C major scale (fig.12a).
E6/9 Chord
An E6/9 chord contains the notes E, G#, B, C# and F# — the first, third, fifth, sixth and ninth notes in an E major scale (fig.12b).
Fig.12
Major 6/9 Chords: On a Guitar
Fig.13 shows a common fingering for a major 6/9 chord.
Fig.13
This fingering will allow you to play a major 6/9 chord with any root note:
- To play a C6/9 chord, place your second finger on the C on the fifth string, third fret (fig.14a).
- To play an E6/9 chord, place your second finger on the E on the fifth string, seventh fret (fig.14b).
Fig.14
Minor 6/9 Chords: Theory
The chord formula for a minor 6/9 chord is: 1, b3, 5, 6, 9.
A minor 6/9 chord contains the first, flatted third, fifth, sixth and ninth degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Cm6/9 Chord
For example, a Cm6/9 chord contains the notes C, Eb, G, A, and D — the first, flatted third, fifth, sixth and ninth notes in a C major scale (fig.15a).
Em6/9 Chord
An Em6/9 chord contains the notes E, G, B, C# and F# — the first, flatted third, fifth, sixth and ninth notes in an E major scale (fig.15b).
Fig.15
Minor 6/9 Chords: On a Guitar
Fig.16 shows a common fingering for a minor 6/9 chord.
Fig.16
This fingering will allow you to play a minor 6/9 chord with any root note:
- To play a Cm6/9 chord, place your second finger on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.17a).
- To play an Em6/9 chord, place your second finger on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.17b).
Fig.17
Summary of Add9 and 6/9 Chord Formulas
The formulas for the add9 and 6/9 chords covered in this post are summarized below:
- Major Add9 Chord: 1, 3, 5, 9.
- Minor Add9 chord: 1, b3, 5, 9.
- Add9 Power Chord: 1, 5, 9.
- Major 6/9 Chord: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9.
- Minor 6/9 chord: 1, b3, 5, 6, 9.
Application
Adding the ninth scale degree to a major or minor triad or to a power chord adds color and a subtle complexity to the basic chord.
An add9 chord is commonly substituted for a major or minor triad or for a power chord to create a fuller, more interesting sound.
A 6/9 chord is commonly substituted for a tonic major or minor chord, especially in jazz music.
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