Chord type

Add 9 Chords on Piano

The add9 chord is a major triad with an added ninth — no seventh. This gives it an open, bright, modern sound that is simpler and less jazzy than a full 9th chord. Add9 chords are staples of pop, worship, and acoustic music.

Each key below opens the full reference entry — keyboard diagram, audio, inversions, fingerings, and notation.

Formula: Root – Major 2nd (9th) – Major 3rd – Perfect 5th

Scale degrees: 1–2(9)–3–5

Sound: Open, bright, modern, spacious

Symbol: add9 (Cadd9)

Add9 vs 9th chords: Cadd9 = C–D–E–G (no seventh). C9 = C–D–E–G–B♭ (includes the dominant seventh). The absence of the seventh makes add9 simpler and brighter — it works as a colourful substitute for any major chord.

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All 18 spellings, ♯ and ♭ keys listed separately.

Add 9 Chord in All 18 Keys

C Add 9 ChordNotes: C – E – G – D

C♯ Add 9 ChordNotes: C♯ – E♯ – G♯ – D♯

D♭ Add 9 ChordNotes: D♭ – F – A♭ – E♭

D Add 9 ChordNotes: D – F♯ – A – E

D♯ Add 9 ChordNotes: D♯ – F♯♯ – A♯ – E♯

E♭ Add 9 ChordNotes: E♭ – G – B♭ – F

E Add 9 ChordNotes: E – G♯ – B – F♯

F Add 9 ChordNotes: F – A – C – G

F♯ Add 9 ChordNotes: F♯ – A♯ – C♯ – G♯

G♭ Add 9 ChordNotes: G♭ – B♭ – D♭ – A♭

G Add 9 ChordNotes: G – B – D – A

G♯ Add 9 ChordNotes: G♯ – B♯ – D♯ – A♯

A♭ Add 9 ChordNotes: A♭ – C – E♭ – B♭

A Add 9 ChordNotes: A – C♯ – E – B

A♯ Add 9 ChordNotes: A♯ – C♯♯ – E♯ – B♯

B♭ Add 9 ChordNotes: B♭ – D – F – C

B Add 9 ChordNotes: B – D♯ – F♯ – C♯

C♭ Add 9 ChordNotes: C♭ – E♭ – G♭ – D♭