Skip to content

Aadd9 chord on guitar

Aadd9 (A add nine) is A, C♯, E and B. The easiest way to play it is the open Aadd9 chord, written x02420. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 4th fret. Let the 5th and 1st strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Aadd9

A add nine · A C♯ E B · 1 3 5 9

  • Open position

    Open chord

    142AEBC♯E

    x02420

  • 9th fret

    Root on the 5th string

    9fr3214AC♯EB

    x-12-11-9-12-x

  • 11th fret

    Root on the 5th string

    11fr21433AC♯ABE

    x-12-11-14-12-12

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are A, the root.

How to play Aadd9

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open chord · Open position

    x02420
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 4th fret.
    • Let the 5th and 1st strings ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Root on the 5th string · 9th fret

    x-12-11-9-12-x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 11th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 12th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 12th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.
    • Mute the 1st string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

  3. 3. Root on the 5th string · 11th fret

    x-12-11-14-12-12
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 11th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 12th fret.
    • Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 2nd and 1st strings at the 12th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 14th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Notes in the Aadd9 chord

Aadd9 is A, C♯, E and B, and it sounds bright, like a major chord with a shimmer on top. From A, count 4 half steps up to C♯, 3 more to E and 7 more to B. Its formula is 1 3 5 9. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with A lowest. See its inversions and keys on the Aadd9 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Aadd9

E022100Aadd9 to E is I to V, a bright pop move.Dadd9x5425xAadd9 to Dadd9 is I to IV, both with the ninth on top.F♯m7242222Aadd9 to F♯m7 is I to vi7, soft and open.

More guitar chords

Other chords on A

AAmA7Amaj7Am7Asus2Asus4A9A6AdimAm7♭5Adim7Aaug

Add nine chords on other notes

Cadd9D♭add9Dadd9E♭add9Eadd9Fadd9F♯add9Gadd9A♭add9B♭add9Badd9

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Aadd9 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open Aadd9 chord, written x02420. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 4th fret. Let the 5th and 1st strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the Aadd9 chord?

Aadd9 is A, C♯, E and B. In the shape written x02420, the 5th to 1st strings play A, E, B, C♯ and E.

Is Aadd9 a barre chord?

No: none of its shapes here needs a barre.

How many ways can you play Aadd9 on guitar?

This page shows three: x02420 (open position), x-12-11-9-12-x (9th fret) and x-12-11-14-12-12 (11th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with Aadd9?

Yes. “Make a beat in A major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A major on A E F♯m D, the key where Aadd9 is the Iadd9 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in A major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A major on A E F♯m D, the key where Aadd9 is the Iadd9 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in A majorAll guitar chords

Keep going