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A minor add 9 chord on guitar (Amadd9)
Also called or written Amadd9, Am add9, A or A minor Add 9th
A minor add 9 is built from A, C, E, and B. The 5th-fret barre shape demands a full index barre with a pinky reach to the 7th fret.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9
- Root positionA–C–E–BAmadd95-7-7-5-5-7
- First inversionC–E–B–AAmadd9/C×-3-2-2-0-0
- Second inversionE–B–A–CAmadd9/E0-2-2-2-1-0
- Third inversionB–A–C–EAmadd9/B×-2-2-2-1-0
How do you play an A minor add 9 chord on guitar?
A minor add 9 is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 7 5 5 7: barre your index finger across fret 5, middle finger on the A string at fret 7, ring finger on the D string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (5) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 3 | A (1) |
| 3 (G) | 5 | 1 (barre) | C (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 4 | B (2) |
AdvancedThe index barre must hold the 6th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings at the 5th fret while the pinky reaches the 7th fret on the high e.
Am add9/C inversion — the easy shape, no barre
A minor add 9 is played in open position as × 3 2 2 0 0: ring finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the D string at fret 2 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2. The B and high e strings ring open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (♭3) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (2) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (5) |
Am add9/E inversion · 0-2-2-2-1-0
A minor add 9 is played in open position as 0 2 2 2 1 0: middle finger on the A string at fret 2, ring finger on the D string at fret 2, pinky finger on the G string at fret 2 and index finger on the B string at fret 1. The low E and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (2) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 3 | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 4 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 1 | C (♭3) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (5) |
Am add9/E inversion · 0-3-2-2-0-0
A minor add 9 is played in open position as 0 3 2 2 0 0: ring finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the D string at fret 2 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2. The low E, B and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (♭3) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (2) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (5) |
Am add9/E inversion · ×-7-7-5-5-7
A minor add 9 is played at the 5th fret as × 7 7 5 5 7: barre your index finger across fret 5, middle finger on the A string at fret 7, ring finger on the D string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 7. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 2 | E (5) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 3 | A (1) |
| 3 (G) | 5 | 1 (barre) | C (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 4 | B (2) |
Why it sounds like that
A minor add 9 uses the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9. The major 2nd between A and B adds the ninth, while the minor 3rd between A and C keeps the minor quality. Compare with A minor, which omits the ninth.
What goes wrong with A minor add 9?
- Letting the index barre lift off the high e string, causing a buzz at the 5th fret.
- Flattening the middle finger onto the 4th string and deadening the D at the 7th fret.
When to use it
A minor add 9 works as the vi chord in C major, as in C–G–Am–F, the I–V–vi–IV. It suits introspective rock and folk passages where the added ninth softens the minor triad.
Changing to and from A minor add 9
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 3rd fret gives G minor add 9.
- From A minor, lift the pinky and middle finger to return to the 5th-fret A minor barre.
Which voicing to use
The 5th-fret voicing puts A in the bass for a root-position sound. The Am add9/C inversion at the 3rd fret places C in the bass, giving a darker, less stable feel.
Other A chords
Common questions
What is the difference between A minor add 9 and A minor 9?
A minor add 9 contains only the root, minor third, fifth, and ninth. A minor 9 adds the minor seventh as well, creating a denser, more dissonant sound.
Can I play A minor add 9 without the barre?
Yes, the Am add9/C inversion at the 3rd fret uses no barre. It omits the low E string and places C in the bass, but it is easier for beginners.
Why does the 5th-fret shape feel so stretchy?
The pinky must reach two frets above the barre on the high e string. This stretch is the main physical challenge of the voicing.