A add 9 chord

Aadd9

  • AR
  • C♯3
  • E5
  • B9

Open · 2nd fret

134×ARE5B9C♯3E5

What each note does

  • A is the root. It names the chord and is the note your ear hears as home.
  • C♯ is the major third. It makes the chord sound bright. Lower it a half step to C and the chord turns minor.
  • E is the fifth. It adds weight without changing the character, so it is the first note to drop when a voicing gets crowded.
  • B is the ninth, the second an octave up. It opens the chord and adds color without changing its function.

More voicings

Scales that contain Aadd9

Other A chords