Aadd9 Guitar Chord
A Add9 · A–C#–E–B
Aadd9 is the A add9 chord: A–C#–E–B. Its sound is colorful and modern — a plain triad sweetened with the 9th, all over 90s rock and acoustic pop.
Unlike A9, Aadd9 skips the ♭7 and just stacks the 9th (B) on the plain triad — color without jazz function. It shines on acoustic guitar where the 9th can ring against open strings, and it's the secret behind countless 90s alt-rock and worship progressions in A and E.
The most common way to play Aadd9 is the add9 grip at the 5th fret (5 x 7 6 5 7, low E string to high E string). Below you'll find 3 ways to play it across the neck, from open position to barre and shell voicings, with the theory behind the chord and the progressions it lives in.
How to Play Aadd9: 3 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Aadd9 Chord Theory
| Interval | R | 3 | 5 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | A | C# | E | B |
Aadd9 is built from the A major scale.
Aadd9 Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Aadd9 chord?
Aadd9 contains 4 notes: A (R), C# (3), E (5), B (9). The interval formula for a add9 chord is R–3–5–9.
What is the easiest way to play Aadd9 on guitar?
Use the add9 grip at the 5th fret: 5 x 7 6 5 7 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). Aadd9 has no open-position shape in standard tuning, so this movable form is the standard starting point.
Is Aadd9 a major or minor chord?
Aadd9 is built on a major triad (A–C#–E) with the 9 added, so it behaves as a major-family chord.
What keys use the Aadd9 chord?
Aadd9 appears diatonically in A major (as I), E major (as IV), and D major (as V) — plus F# minor, its relative minor key.
Related Chords
Hear yourself play Aadd9
OpenFret listens to your real guitar through the microphone. Check your chords ring clean in the free Studio, or learn the fretboard by battling monsters in Guitar Quest — free in your browser, no signup needed.