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Aadd9 Chord

Aadd9 keeps the A major triad and adds B, its ninth. The major third remains, so this is different from a sus2 chord, which replaces the third.

  • Notes: A-C sharp-E-B
  • Symbol: Aadd9
  • Iadd9 in A major
  • Added ninth
Switch chordAadd9

How to play an Aadd9 chord

Notes: A - C# - E - B · symbol Aadd9

  • Root position

    A - C# - E - B
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    C# - E - B - A
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    E - B - A - C#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    B - A - C# - E
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does Aadd9 belong?

The ninth adds color to an otherwise familiar major chord without replacing its third.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In A majorHome with shimmer
    Iadd9

    The ninth sits on top of a plain major chord, without a seventh.

    DIVEVAadd9Iadd9
  • In E majorBright step away
    IVadd9

    The IV of E major with an added ninth.

    EIAadd9IVadd9BVEI

Progressions to try

  • DEAadd9

    Aadd9 is the tonic arrival; the added ninth remains above the familiar major triad.

  • EAadd9BE

    Here the added ninth colors the IV chord while the loop still ends on the ordinary tonic.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, the open shape x02420 is the easiest place to start. The barre shape x-12-11-9-12-9, at the 9th fret, moves the chord up the neck and sits well between other barre chords.

On ukulele, the open shape 2102 is the easiest place to start. 4454 gives a higher version.

On piano, play A-C sharp-E-B. Move A up an octave to reach the first inversion, C sharp-E-B-A; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

A, C sharp and E make the major triad; B adds the ninth, an octave plus a second above the root.

  • Root position: A-C sharp-E-B, with A lowest.
  • First inversion: C sharp-E-B-A, written Aadd9/C# if C sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: E-B-A-C sharp, written Aadd9/E if E is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: B-A-C sharp-E, written Aadd9/B if B is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Aadd9 differ from A9?

Aadd9 has the third and ninth but no seventh. Add G and you get A9; the comparer lets you hear what that extra seventh changes. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See A9 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Aadd9

    A - C# - E - B
    C4C5

    A add9

  • A9

    A - C# - E - G - B
    C4C5

    A dominant 9

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