akousia
Start here

Badd9 Chord

Badd9 keeps the B major triad and adds C sharp, its ninth. The major third remains, so this is different from a sus2 chord, which replaces the third.

  • Notes: B-D sharp-F sharp-C sharp
  • Symbol: Badd9
  • Iadd9 in B major
  • Added ninth
Switch chordBadd9

How to play a Badd9 chord

Notes: B - D# - F# - C# · symbol Badd9

  • Root position

    B - D# - F# - C#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    D# - F# - C# - B
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    F# - C# - B - D#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    C# - B - D# - F#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does Badd9 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 B majorHome with shimmer
    Iadd9

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

    EIVF#VBadd9Iadd9
  • In F# majorBright step away
    IVadd9

    The IV of F# major with an added ninth.

    F#IBadd9IVadd9C#VF#I

Progressions to try

  • EF#Badd9

    Badd9 is the tonic arrival; the added ninth remains above the familiar major triad.

  • F#Badd9C#F#

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

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with x-14-13-11-14-11, a barre at the 11th fret.

On ukulele, start with 4324, played at the 2nd fret. 6676 gives a higher version.

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

What are the inversions?

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

  • Root position: B-D sharp-F sharp-C sharp, with B lowest.
  • First inversion: D sharp-F sharp-C sharp-B, written Badd9/D# if D sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: F sharp-C sharp-B-D sharp, written Badd9/F# if F sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: C sharp-B-D sharp-F sharp, written Badd9/C# if C sharp 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 Badd9 differ from B9?

Badd9 has the third and ninth but no seventh. Add A and you get B9; 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 B9 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Badd9

    B - D# - F# - C#
    C4C5

    B add9

  • B9

    B - D# - F# - A - C#
    C4C5

    B dominant 9

Try another chord