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Cadd9 Chord on Guitar

Cadd9 is the C add 9 chord — 4 notes (C, E, G, D) 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: C · E · G · DFormula: 1 · 3 · 5 · 9Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

Cadd9: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • Cadd9 – open position×R9593open position
  • Cadd9 – fret 2×R3R9×fret 2
  • Cadd9 – fret 55R95R3Rfret 5
  • Cadd9 – fret 77R3R95×fret 7
  • Cadd9 – fret 88××R359fret 8
  • Cadd9 – fret 1212×R95R3fret 12

Cadd9: Drop 2 voicings

  • Cadd9 – bass: 98××935Rbass: 9
  • Cadd9 – bass: R8R593××bass: R
  • Cadd9 – bass: R3×R593×bass: R

Keys that contain Cadd9

Scales to play over Cadd9

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain C, E, G, D.

Other C chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Add 9 chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the Cadd9 chord?
Cadd9 (C add 9) contains C, E, G, D — formula 1 3 5 9.
How do you play Cadd9 on guitar?
A common shape is x30030 (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 Cadd9?
Good choices to solo over Cadd9: C Ionian (Major), C Lydian, C Major pentatonic.
What key is Cadd9 in?
Cadd9 is diatonic in C major (Iadd9), F major (Vadd9), G major (IVadd9), D minor (♭VIIadd9), E minor (♭VIadd9), A minor (♭IIIadd9).