C added 9th · Guitar
Cadd9 Chord on Guitar
The Cadd9 chord (C added 9th) is built from the notes C, E, G and D. 2 different guitar fingerings for it are shown below.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 6 (E): muted
- string 5 (A): fret 3 — middle finger
- string 4 (D): fret 2 — index finger
- string 3 (G): played open
- string 2 (B): fret 3 — ring finger
- string 1 (E): played open
Fingering
- string 6 (E): muted
- string 5 (A): muted
- string 4 (D): fret 10 — ring finger
- string 3 (G): fret 9 — middle finger
- string 2 (B): fret 8 — index finger
- string 1 (E): fret 10 — little finger
Notes in this chord
- C
- E
- G
- D
Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – 9
How to play
Cadd9 can be played with open strings on guitar, which makes it an accessible shape for beginners. Strings marked ○ ring open, while strings marked ✕ are muted.
Theory behind the chord
Add9 chords keep the full major triad and add the ninth without a seventh. The extra note widens the chord without making it sound jazzy, which is why it is everywhere in modern acoustic pop. On Cadd9 this structure sits on the root C, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – 9 map onto C, E, G and D.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the Cadd9 chord?
- Cadd9 contains the notes C, E, G and D. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – 9.
- How many ways can you play Cadd9?
- Minory lists 2 guitar fingerings for Cadd9. They all produce the same chord — what changes is the voicing and where it sits on the neck.
- Is the Cadd9 chord hard to play?
- Not really. The open position of Cadd9 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.
Practise Cadd9 on your phone
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