Tools / Chords / C add 9

C add 9 chord on guitar (Cadd9)

Also 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.

Open · ×-3-0-0-1-0×-3-0-0-1-0

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

C1Root

E3Major 3rd

G5Perfect 5th

D99th

Formula 1, 3, 5, 9

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

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

Root positionC–E–G–DCadd9Bass C

First inversionE–G–D–CCadd9/EBass E

Second inversionG–D–C–ECadd9/GBass G

Third inversionD–C–E–GCadd9/DBass D

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.

How do you play a C add 9 chord on guitar?

Open · ×-3-0-0-1-0

Beginner● On the diagram

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.

Tip — The first-fret stretch on the B string while keeping the high e open and muting the low E requires precise finger independence.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	3	2	C (1)
4 (D)	open	—	D (9)
3 (G)	open	—	G (5)
2 (B)	1	1	C (1)
1 (e)	open	—	E (3)

Open · ×-3-0-0-3-0

Beginner

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.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	3	1	C (1)
4 (D)	open	—	D (9)
3 (G)	open	—	G (5)
2 (B)	3	2	D (9)
1 (e)	open	—	E (3)

Open · ×-3-2-0-3-0

Beginner

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.

String-by-string 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 (9)
1 (e)	open	—	E (3)

Open · ×-3-2-0-3-3

Beginner

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.

String-by-string 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 (9)
1 (e)	3	4	G (5)

8th fret

Intermediate

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.

String-by-string 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 (9)

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.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

C (1)

4 (D)

open

—

D (9)

3 (G)

open

—

G (5)

2 (B)

C (1)

1 (e)

open

—

E (3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

C (1)

4 (D)

open

—

D (9)

3 (G)

open

—

G (5)

2 (B)

D (9)

1 (e)

open

—

E (3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

C (1)

4 (D)

E (3)

3 (G)

open

—

G (5)

2 (B)

D (9)

1 (e)

open

—

E (3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

C (1)

4 (D)

E (3)

3 (G)

open

—

G (5)

2 (B)

D (9)

1 (e)

G (5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

muted

—

4 (D)

C (1)

3 (G)

E (3)

2 (B)

G (5)

1 (e)

D (9)