Explore chords · Guitar
C add 9 chord on guitar (Cadd9)
Also called or written Cadd9, C or C Add 9th
C add 9 contains C, E, G, and D. The open shape is a first-fret stretch with one muted string, making it a common but still challenging grip.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 9
- Root positionC–E–G–DCadd9×-3-0-0-1-0
- First inversionE–G–D–CCadd9/E0-3-0-0-1-0
- Second inversionG–D–C–ECadd9/G3-3-0-0-1-0
- Third inversionD–C–E–GCadd9/D×-×-0-0-1-0
How do you play a C add 9 chord on guitar?
C add 9 is played in open position as × 3 0 0 1 0: middle finger on the A string at fret 3 and index finger on the B string at fret 1. The D, G 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 | 2 | C (1) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (2) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 1 | C (1) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (3) |
AdvancedThe first-fret stretch on the B string while keeping the high e open and muting the low E requires precise finger independence.
Open · ×-3-0-0-3-0
C add 9 is played in open position as × 3 0 0 3 0: index finger on the A string at fret 3 and middle finger on the B string at fret 3. The D, G 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 | 1 | C (1) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (2) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 2 | D (2) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (3) |
Open · ×-3-2-0-3-0
C add 9 is played in open position as × 3 2 0 3 0: middle finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the D string at fret 2 and ring finger on the B string at fret 3. The G 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 | 2 | C (1) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (3) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 3 | D (2) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (3) |
Open · ×-3-2-0-3-3
C add 9 is played in open position as × 3 2 0 3 3: middle finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the D string at fret 2, ring finger on the B string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The G string rings open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (3) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 3 | D (2) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 4 | G (5) |
8th fret
C add 9 is played at the 8th fret as × × 10 9 8 10: ring finger on the D string at fret 10, middle finger on the G string at fret 9, index finger on the B string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 10. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 10 | 3 | C (1) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 2 | E (3) |
| 2 (B) | 8 | 1 | G (5) |
| 1 (e) | 10 | 4 | D (2) |
Why it sounds like that
C add 9 is built from the major triad C–E–G plus the major 2nd D. The added D gives the chord a gentle, airy quality. Compare it to C major, which lacks the 9th.
What goes wrong with C add 9?
- Letting the low E string sound, which adds an unintended bass note.
- Muting the high e string with the underside of the index finger.
- Pressing the middle finger too flat and deadening the D string.
When to use it
C add 9 works as a tonic in C major, especially in the I–IV–V–I progression C–F–G–C. It suits folk, pop, and worship music where a bright, open sound is desired.
Changing to and from C add 9
- Move from C major by adding the index finger on B1 and keeping the high e open.
- Slide the 8th-fret shape down two frets to the 6th fret to play B♭ add 9.
Which voicing to use
The open shape keeps C as the bass note for a root-position sound. The 8th-fret shape also has C in the bass but sits higher on the neck, giving a tighter, more focused voicing.
Other C chords
Common questions
How does C add 9 differ from C major?
C add 9 adds the note D to the C major triad. The D is the major 2nd, which creates a softer, more colorful sound than the plain major chord.
Why is the low E string muted?
The low E string is muted to preserve the intended bass note C. Even though E is a chord tone, letting it ring would change the voicing.
Is C add 9 easier than C major?
C add 9 requires an extra finger on the B string, so it is slightly harder than C major. However, the open strings make it accessible to intermediate players.