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A 6th add 9 chord on guitar (A6/9)
Also called or written A6/9, A6add9, A 6th Add 9th or A 6th 9
A 6th add 9 contains A, C♯, E, F♯, and B. The 4th fret grip barres three strings while the ring and pinky stretch to the 5th fret.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6, 9
- Root positionA–C♯–E–F♯–BA6/95-4-4-4-5-5
- First inversionC♯–E–F♯–B–AA6/9/C♯×-4-4-4-5-5
- Second inversionE–F♯–B–A–C♯A6/9/E12-12-11-11-12-×
- Third inversionF♯–B–A–C♯–EA6/9/F♯2-2-2-2-2-2
- Fourth inversionB–A–C♯–E–F♯A6/9/B×-2-2-2-2-2
How do you play an A 6th add 9 chord on guitar?
A 6th add 9 is played at the 4th fret as 5 4 4 4 5 5: barre your index finger across fret 4, middle finger on the low E string at fret 5, ring finger on the B string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (1) |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (6) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 1 (barre) | B (2) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 3 | E (5) |
| 1 (e) | 5 | 4 | A (1) |
AdvancedThe index barre must fret the A, D, and G strings cleanly while the ring and pinky stretch to the 5th fret.
11th fret
A 6th add 9 is played at the 11th fret as × 12 11 11 12 12: barre your index finger across fret 11, middle finger on the A string at fret 12, ring finger on the B string at fret 12 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 12. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 12 | 2 | A (1) |
| 4 (D) | 11 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (3) |
| 3 (G) | 11 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (6) |
| 2 (B) | 12 | 3 | B (2) |
| 1 (e) | 12 | 4 | E (5) |
A6add9/C♯ inversion · ×-4-4-4-5-5
A 6th add 9 is played at the 4th fret as × 4 4 4 5 5: barre your index finger across fret 4, ring finger on the B string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 5. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (6) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 1 (barre) | B (2) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 3 | E (5) |
| 1 (e) | 5 | 4 | A (1) |
A6add9/C♯ inversion · 9-7-7-9-7-7
A 6th add 9 is played at the 7th fret as 9 7 7 9 7 7: barre your index finger across fret 7, ring finger on the low E string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9 | 3 | C♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 4 | E (5) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (6) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (2) |
A6add9/C♯ inversion · 9-9-7-9-7-7
A 6th add 9 is played at the 7th fret as 9 9 7 9 7 7: barre your index finger across fret 7, middle finger on the low E string at fret 9, ring finger on the A string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9 | 2 | C♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 3 | F♯ (6) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 4 | E (5) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (6) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (2) |
Why it sounds like that
A 6th add 9 is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 6, 9. The major 6th and major 2nd add color to the major triad. Compare it to A 6th, which omits the 9th.
What goes wrong with A 6th add 9?
- Let the B string buzz under the ring finger by not arching it enough.
- Allow the index barre to lift off the G string, causing a dead note.
When to use it
Use A 6th add 9 as the tonic in A major progressions like A–D–E–A (I–IV–V–I). It suits bright pop, country, and funk rhythm parts.
Changing to and from A 6th add 9
- Slide the shape down two frets to the 2nd fret to play G 6th add 9.
- Slide the shape down one fret to the 3rd fret to play A♭ 6th add 9.
Which voicing to use
The 4th fret position keeps A in the bass for a grounded sound. The A6add9/C♯ inversions put C♯ in the bass, giving a lighter, more melodic feel.
Other A chords
Common questions
How does A 6th add 9 differ from A 6th?
A 6th add 9 adds the 9th, B, to the A 6th chord. The 9th creates a more colorful, extended sound.
Can A 6th add 9 be played without a barre?
The 4th fret position requires a barre, but the 11th fret position also uses a barre. No open-string version is supplied.
What are the alternate symbols for A 6th add 9?
A 6th add 9 is written A6/9 or A6add9.