E added 9th · Guitar
Eadd9 Chord on Guitar
The Eadd9 chord (E added 9th) is built from the notes E, G#, B and F#. 2 different guitar fingerings for it are shown below.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 6 (E): muted
- string 5 (A): muted
- string 4 (D): fret 3 — middle finger
- string 3 (G): fret 2 — index finger
- string 2 (B): played open
- string 1 (E): fret 3 — ring finger
Fingering
- string 6 (E): played open
- string 5 (A): fret 5 — middle finger
- string 4 (D): fret 5 — ring finger
- string 3 (G): fret 4 — index finger
- string 2 (B): played open
- string 1 (E): fret 5 — little finger
Notes in this chord
- E
- G♯
- B
- F♯
Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5 – 9
How to play
Eadd9 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 Eadd9 this structure sits on the root E, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – 9 map onto E, G#, B and F#.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the Eadd9 chord?
- Eadd9 contains the notes E, G#, B and F#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 – 9.
- How many ways can you play Eadd9?
- Minory lists 2 guitar fingerings for Eadd9. They all produce the same chord — what changes is the voicing and where it sits on the neck.
- Is the Eadd9 chord hard to play?
- Not really. The open position of Eadd9 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.
Practise Eadd9 on your phone
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