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Aadd9 Chord on Guitar

Aadd9 is the A add 9 chord — 4 notes (A, C♯, E, B) built from the formula 1 3 5 9. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: A · C♯ · E · BFormula: 1 · 3 · 5 · 9Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

Aadd9: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • Aadd9 – open position×R5935open position
  • Aadd9 – fret 2R95R3Rfret 2
  • Aadd9 – fret 44R3R95×fret 4
  • Aadd9 – fret 55××R359fret 5
  • Aadd9 – fret 99×R95R3fret 9
  • Aadd9 – fret 1111×R3R9×fret 11

Aadd9: Drop 2 voicings

  • Aadd9 – bass: 95××935Rbass: 9
  • Aadd9 – bass: R5R593××bass: R
  • Aadd9 – bass: R×R593×bass: R

Keys that contain Aadd9

Scales to play over Aadd9

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain A, C♯, E, B.

Other A chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Add 9 chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the Aadd9 chord?
Aadd9 (A add 9) contains A, C♯, E, B — formula 1 3 5 9.
How do you play Aadd9 on guitar?
A common shape is x02420 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with Aadd9?
Good choices to solo over Aadd9: A Ionian (Major), A Lydian, A Major pentatonic.
What key is Aadd9 in?
Aadd9 is diatonic in D major (Vadd9), E major (IVadd9), A major (Iadd9), C♯ minor (♭VIadd9), F♯ minor (♭IIIadd9), B minor (♭VIIadd9).