Tools / Chords / E add 9

E add 9 chord on bass (Eadd9)

Also written Eadd9, E or E Add 9th

Bass · Eadd9/F♯ inversion · fret 1

E add 9 contains E, G♯, B, and F♯. This advanced voicing is playable in two octaves, with the lower position near the nut.

Eadd9/F♯ inversion · fret 12-2-2-1

Positions on the neck1 of 2

How it’s built

E1Root

G♯3Major 3rd

B5Perfect 5th

F♯99th

Formula 1, 3, 5, 9

Positions on the neck1 of 2

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionE–G♯–B–F♯Eadd9Bass E

First inversionG♯–B–F♯–EEadd9/G♯Bass G♯

Second inversionB–F♯–E–G♯Eadd9/BBass B

Third inversionF♯–E–G♯–BEadd9/F♯Bass F♯

Why it sounds like that

E add 9 is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 9. The major 2nd between E and F♯ gives the chord its bright, ringing quality. Compare it with E major, which stops at the fifth.

What goes wrong with E add 9?

Letting the index finger mute the D string by touching it.
Fretting the G string at fret 2 instead of fret 1, which changes the ninth to a major third.

When to use it

E add 9 works in the I–IV–V–I progression E–A–B–E. Its shimmering quality suits rock, pop, and worship bass lines. Try it over E major or E 5th.

Changing to and from E add 9

Sliding the shape up one fret to the 2nd fret gives F add 9.
From E add 9, move the index finger up two frets to the 3rd fret while keeping the other fingers in place to reach F♯ add 9.

Which voicing to use

The Eadd9/F♯ inversion places F♯, the ninth, in the bass. Use the lower position at the 2nd fret for a warmer sound, or the higher position at the 14th fret for a brighter, more cutting tone.

How do you play an E add 9 chord on bass?

Eadd9/F♯ inversion · fret 1

Intermediate● On the diagram

E add 9 is played at the 1st fret as 2 2 2 1: middle finger on the E string at fret 2, ring finger on the A string at fret 2, pinky finger on the D string at fret 2 and index finger on the G string at fret 1.

Tip — The one-fret offset between the index finger on fret 1 and the other fingers on fret 2 requires precise finger independence.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	2	2	F♯ (9)
3 (A)	2	3	B (5)
2 (D)	2	4	E (1)
1 (G)	1	1	G♯ (3)

Eadd9/F♯ inversion · fret 13

Intermediate

E add 9 is played at the 13th fret as 14 14 14 13: middle finger on the E string at fret 14, ring finger on the A string at fret 14, pinky finger on the D string at fret 14 and index finger on the G string at fret 13.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	14	2	F♯ (9)
3 (A)	14	3	B (5)
2 (D)	14	4	E (1)
1 (G)	13	1	G♯ (3)

Common questions

How does E add 9 differ from E major 7th?

E add 9 includes the major second (F♯) but no seventh. E major 7th includes the major seventh (D♯) but no second. The add 9 sounds more open and less jazzy.

Can E add 9 be played in a lower register?

The default voicing at the 2nd fret is already low. Moving it down an octave would put the bass note below the range of a standard 4-string bass.

Why are there two positions for E add 9?

The same shape can be played at the 2nd fret or the 14th fret, an octave higher. The higher position has a brighter, more cutting sound.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

F♯ (9)

3 (A)

B (5)

2 (D)

E (1)

1 (G)

G♯ (3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

F♯ (9)

3 (A)

B (5)

2 (D)

E (1)

1 (G)

G♯ (3)