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Cadd9 chord

Cadd9 (C add nine) is C, E, G and D. It sounds bright, like a major chord with a shimmer on top.

Cadd9

C add nine · C E G D · 1 3 5 9

CEGD

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Tap keys on the piano to find which chord they make. The editor opens without an account.

Notes in the Cadd9 chord

From C, count 4 half steps up to E, 3 more to G and 7 more to D. Its formula is 1 3 5 9: each number is the note’s place in the C major scale, with ♭ a half step lower and ♯ a half step higher. On the piano it is all white keys.

The notes of Cadd9 and their intervals from C
NoteFormulaIntervalHalf steps up
C1Root0
E3Major third4
G5Perfect fifth7
D9Major ninth14

Cadd9 chord inversions

An inversion is the same chord with another of its notes at the bottom. It keeps the chord’s sound but moves your hand less between chords, which is why pianists use them all the time. The notes are listed lowest first.

Root position

C E G D

Written Cadd9, with the root at the bottom.

1st inversion

E G D C

Written Cadd9/E: E at the bottom.

2nd inversion

G D C E

Written Cadd9/G: G at the bottom.

3rd inversion

D C E G

Written Cadd9/D: D at the bottom.

Keys with the Cadd9 chord

Cadd9 is built from the notes of these keys, so it fits songs in them. The Roman numeral says which note of the key it starts on. Each key’s page has its scale and all its chords.

Major keys
Minor keys

Chords that often come after Cadd9

GG B DCadd9 to G is I to V, a bright pop move.Fadd9F A C GCadd9 to Fadd9 is I to IV, both with the ninth on top.Am7A C E GCadd9 to Am7 is I to vi7, soft and open.

More piano chords

Other chords on C

CCmC7Cmaj7Cm7Csus2Csus4C9C6CdimCm7♭5Cdim7Caug

Add nine chords on other notes

D♭add9Dadd9E♭add9Eadd9Fadd9F♯add9Gadd9A♭add9Aadd9B♭add9Badd9

Or see every chord at once on the piano chords chart.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Cadd9 chord?

Cadd9 is C, E, G and D. On the piano that is all white keys.

How do you play Cadd9 on the piano?

With your right hand, play C, E, G and D with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5 (thumb to little finger). With your left hand it is 5, 3, 2 and 1. From C, count 4 half steps up to E, 3 more to G and 7 more to D.

What are the inversions of Cadd9?

Root position: C E G D. 1st inversion: E G D C (Cadd9/E). 2nd inversion: G D C E (Cadd9/G). 3rd inversion: D C E G (Cadd9/D). The notes are the same; only the lowest one changes.

What key is Cadd9 in?

In major keys, Cadd9 is the Iadd9 chord in C major, the Vadd9 chord in F major and the IVadd9 chord in G major. In minor keys, it is the VIadd9 chord in E minor, the IIIadd9 chord in A minor and the VIIadd9 chord in D minor.

Can I make a beat with Cadd9?

Yes. “Make a beat in C major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where Cadd9 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 C major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where Cadd9 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 C majorAll piano chords

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