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Eadd9 Chord

Eadd9 keeps the E major triad and adds F sharp, its ninth. The major third remains, so this is different from a sus2 chord, which replaces the third.

  • Notes: E-G sharp-B-F sharp
  • Symbol: Eadd9
  • Iadd9 in E major
  • Added ninth
Switch chordEadd9

How to play an Eadd9 chord

Notes: E - G# - B - F# · symbol Eadd9

  • Root position

    E - G# - B - F#
    C4C5C6
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    G# - B - F# - E
    C4C5C6
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    B - F# - E - G#
    C4C5C6
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    F# - E - G# - B
    C4C5C6
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does Eadd9 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 E majorHome with shimmer
    Iadd9

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

    AIVBVEadd9Iadd9
  • In B majorBright step away
    IVadd9

    The IV of B major with an added ninth.

    BIEadd9IVadd9F#VBI

Progressions to try

  • ABEadd9

    Eadd9 is the tonic arrival; the added ninth remains above the familiar major triad.

  • BEadd9F#B

    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 024100 is the easiest place to start. The barre shape x76474, at the 4th fret, moves the chord up the neck and sits well between other barre chords.

On ukulele, start with 1422, played at the 1st fret. 4647 gives a higher version.

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

What are the inversions?

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

  • Root position: E-G sharp-B-F sharp, with E lowest.
  • First inversion: G sharp-B-F sharp-E, written Eadd9/G# if G sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: B-F sharp-E-G sharp, written Eadd9/B if B is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: F sharp-E-G sharp-B, written Eadd9/F# if F 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 Eadd9 differ from E9?

Eadd9 has the third and ninth but no seventh. Add D and you get E9; 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 E9 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Eadd9

    E - G# - B - F#
    C4C5

    E add9

  • E9

    E - G# - B - D - F#
    C4C5

    E dominant 9

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