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Ebadd9 Guitar Chord

Eb Add9 · also written D#add9 · Eb–G–Bb–F

Ebadd9 is the Eb add9 chord: Eb–G–Bb–F. 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 D#add9 — same notes, same shapes, different spelling.

Unlike Eb9, Ebadd9 skips the ♭7 and just stacks the 9th (F) 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 Eb and Bb.

The most common way to play Ebadd9 is the add9 grip at the 11th fret (11 x 13 12 11 13, 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 Ebadd9: 3 Voicings

Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.

Ebadd9 — Add9 grip, 11th fret11
Add9 grip
11th fret
11 x 13 12 11 13
Ebadd9 — A-shape add9, 6th fret6
A-shape add9
6th fret
x 6 8 10 8 6
Ebadd9 — Color spread, 11th fret11
Color spread
11th fret
x x 13 12 11 13

Ebadd9 Chord Theory

IntervalR359
NoteEbGBbF

Ebadd9 is built from the Eb major scale.

Ebadd9 Chord FAQ

What notes are in the Ebadd9 chord?

Ebadd9 contains 4 notes: Eb (R), G (3), Bb (5), F (9). The interval formula for a add9 chord is R–3–5–9.

What is the easiest way to play Ebadd9 on guitar?

Use the add9 grip at the 11th fret: 11 x 13 12 11 13 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). Ebadd9 has no open-position shape in standard tuning, so this movable form is the standard starting point.

Is Ebadd9 a major or minor chord?

Ebadd9 is built on a major triad (Eb–G–Bb) with the 9 added, so it behaves as a major-family chord.

Is Ebadd9 the same as D#add9?

Yes. Eb and D# are enharmonic equivalents — the same pitch written two ways. Ebadd9 and D#add9 use identical shapes and frets; which spelling you see depends on the key of the song.

What keys use the Ebadd9 chord?

Ebadd9 appears diatonically in Eb major (as I), Bb major (as IV), and Ab major (as V) — plus C minor, its relative minor key.

Related Chords

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Ebadd9 Guitar Chord: How to Play Eb Add9 | OpenFret