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Gadd9 chord

Gadd9 (G add nine) is G, B, D and A. It sounds bright, like a major chord with a shimmer on top.

Gadd9

G add nine · G B D A · 1 3 5 9

GBDA

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 Gadd9 chord

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: each number is the note’s place in the G major scale, with ♭ a half step lower and ♯ a half step higher. On the piano it is all white keys.

The notes of Gadd9 and their intervals from G
NoteFormulaIntervalHalf steps up
G1Root0
B3Major third4
D5Perfect fifth7
A9Major ninth14

Gadd9 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

G B D A

Written Gadd9, with the root at the bottom.

1st inversion

B D A G

Written Gadd9/B: B at the bottom.

2nd inversion

D A G B

Written Gadd9/D: D at the bottom.

3rd inversion

A G B D

Written Gadd9/A: A at the bottom.

Keys with the Gadd9 chord

Gadd9 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 Gadd9

DD F♯ AGadd9 to D is I to V, a bright pop move.Cadd9C E G DGadd9 to Cadd9 is I to IV, both with the ninth on top.Em7E G B DGadd9 to Em7 is I to vi7, soft and open.

More piano 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 piano chords chart.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Gadd9 chord?

Gadd9 is G, B, D and A. On the piano that is all white keys.

How do you play Gadd9 on the piano?

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

What are the inversions of Gadd9?

Root position: G B D A. 1st inversion: B D A G (Gadd9/B). 2nd inversion: D A G B (Gadd9/D). 3rd inversion: A G B D (Gadd9/A). The notes are the same; only the lowest one changes.

What key is Gadd9 in?

In major keys, Gadd9 is the Iadd9 chord in G major, the Vadd9 chord in C major and the IVadd9 chord in D major. In minor keys, it is the VIadd9 chord in B minor, the IIIadd9 chord in E minor and the VIIadd9 chord in A minor.

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 piano chords

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