Bbadd9 Guitar Chord
Bb Add9 · also written A#add9 · Bb–D–F–C
Bbadd9 is the Bb add9 chord: Bb–D–F–C. Its sound is colorful and modern — a plain triad sweetened with the 9th, all over 90s rock and acoustic pop. It's also written as A#add9 — same notes, same shapes, different spelling.
Unlike Bb9, Bbadd9 skips the ♭7 and just stacks the 9th (C) 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 Bb and F.
The most common way to play Bbadd9 is the add9 grip at the 6th fret (6 x 8 7 6 8, 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 Bbadd9: 3 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Bbadd9 Chord Theory
| Interval | R | 3 | 5 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | Bb | D | F | C |
Bbadd9 is built from the Bb major scale.
Bbadd9 Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Bbadd9 chord?
Bbadd9 contains 4 notes: Bb (R), D (3), F (5), C (9). The interval formula for a add9 chord is R–3–5–9.
What is the easiest way to play Bbadd9 on guitar?
Use the add9 grip at the 6th fret: 6 x 8 7 6 8 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). Bbadd9 has no open-position shape in standard tuning, so this movable form is the standard starting point.
Is Bbadd9 a major or minor chord?
Bbadd9 is built on a major triad (Bb–D–F) with the 9 added, so it behaves as a major-family chord.
Is Bbadd9 the same as A#add9?
Yes. Bb and A# are enharmonic equivalents — the same pitch written two ways. Bbadd9 and A#add9 use identical shapes and frets; which spelling you see depends on the key of the song.
What keys use the Bbadd9 chord?
Bbadd9 appears diatonically in Bb major (as I), F major (as IV), and Eb major (as V) — plus G minor, its relative minor key.
Related Chords
Hear yourself play Bbadd9
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