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Gadd9 chord on guitar

Gadd9 (G add nine) is G, B, D and A. The easiest way to play it is the open Gadd9 chord, written 320203. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 6th string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 1st string, 3rd fret. Let the 4th and 2nd strings ring open.

Gadd9

G add nine · G B D A · 1 3 5 9

  • Open position

    Open chord

    3124GBDABG

    320203

  • 7th fret

    Root on the 5th string

    7fr3214GBDA

    x-10-9-7-10-x

  • 9th fret

    Root on the 5th string

    9fr21433GBGAD

    x-10-9-12-10-10

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 G, the root.

How to play Gadd9

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

    320203
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 6th string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 1st string, 3rd fret.
    • Let the 4th and 2nd strings ring open.

  2. 2. Root on the 5th string · 7th fret

    x-10-9-7-10-x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 7th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 10th 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 · 9th fret

    x-10-9-12-10-10
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 10th fret.
    • Lay your 3rd finger (ring) flat across the 2nd and 1st strings at the 10th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 12th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Notes in the Gadd9 chord

Gadd9 is G, B, D and A, and it sounds bright, like a major chord with a shimmer on top. From G, count 4 half steps up to B, 3 more to D and 7 more to A. 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 G lowest. See its inversions and keys on the Gadd9 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Gadd9

Dxx0232Gadd9 to D is I to V, a bright pop move.Cadd9x32033Gadd9 to Cadd9 is I to IV, both with the ninth on top.Em7020000Gadd9 to Em7 is I to vi7, soft and open.

More guitar chords

Other chords on G

GGmG7Gmaj7Gm7Gsus2Gsus4G9G6GdimGm7♭5Gdim7Gaug

Add nine chords on other notes

Cadd9D♭add9Dadd9E♭add9Eadd9Fadd9F♯add9A♭add9Aadd9B♭add9Badd9

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Gadd9 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open Gadd9 chord, written 320203. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 6th string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 1st string, 3rd fret. Let the 4th and 2nd strings ring open.

What notes are in the Gadd9 chord?

Gadd9 is G, B, D and A. In the shape written 320203, the 6th to 1st strings play G, B, D, A, B and G.

Is Gadd9 a barre chord?

No: none of its shapes here needs a barre.

How many ways can you play Gadd9 on guitar?

This page shows three: 320203 (open position), x-10-9-7-10-x (7th fret) and x-10-9-12-10-10 (9th 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 Gadd9?

Yes. “Make a beat in G major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in G major on G D Em C, the key where Gadd9 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 G major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in G major on G D Em C, the key where Gadd9 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 G majorAll guitar chords

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