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Bbadd9 Chord

Bbadd9 keeps the B flat major triad and adds C, its ninth. The major third remains, so this is different from a sus2 chord, which replaces the third.

  • Notes: B flat-D-F-C
  • Symbol: Bbadd9
  • Iadd9 in Bb major
  • Added ninth
Switch chordBbadd9

How to play a Bbadd9 chord

Notes: Bb - D - F - C · symbol Bbadd9

  • Root position

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

  • 1st inversion

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

  • 2nd inversion

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

  • 3rd inversion

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

Where does Bbadd9 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 Bb majorHome with shimmer
    Iadd9

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

    EbIVFVBbadd9Iadd9
  • In F majorBright step away
    IVadd9

    The IV of F major with an added ninth.

    FIBbadd9IVadd9CVFI

Progressions to try

  • EbFBbadd9

    Bbadd9 is the tonic arrival; the added ninth remains above the familiar major triad.

  • FBbadd9CF

    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 x10311 is the easiest place to start. The barre shape x-13-12-10-13-10, at the 10th fret, moves the chord up the neck and sits well between other barre chords.

On ukulele, start with 3213, played at the 1st fret. 5565 gives a higher version.

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

What are the inversions?

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

  • Root position: B flat-D-F-C, with B flat lowest.
  • First inversion: D-F-C-B flat, written Bbadd9/D if D is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: F-C-B flat-D, written Bbadd9/F if F is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: C-B flat-D-F, written Bbadd9/C if C 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 Bbadd9 differ from Bb9?

Bbadd9 has the third and ninth but no seventh. Add A flat and you get Bb9; 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 Bb9 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Bbadd9

    Bb - D - F - C
    C4C5

    Bb add9

  • Bb9

    Bb - D - F - Ab - C
    C4C5

    Bb dominant 9

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