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D 6th add 9 chord on guitar (D6/9)
Also called or written D6/9, D6add9, D 6th Add 9th or D 6th 9
D 6th add 9 contains D, F♯, A, B, and E. The 4th fret grip mutes the low E string and barres the D and G strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6, 9
- Root positionD–F♯–A–B–ED6/9×-5-4-4-5-5
- First inversionF♯–A–B–E–DD6/9/F♯2-0-0-2-0-0
- Second inversionA–B–E–D–F♯D6/9/A5-5-4-4-5-×
- Third inversionB–E–D–F♯–AD6/9/B×-2-2-2-3-2
- Fourth inversionE–D–F♯–A–BD6/9/E0-0-0-2-0-2
How do you play a D 6th add 9 chord on guitar?
D 6th add 9 is played at the 4th fret as × 5 4 4 5 5: barre your index finger across fret 4, middle finger on the A string at fret 5, 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) | 5 | 2 | D (1) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (3) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 1 (barre) | B (6) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 3 | E (2) |
| 1 (e) | 5 | 4 | A (5) |
AdvancedThe index barre must fret the D and G strings cleanly while the middle finger reaches the A string at the 5th fret.
9th fret
D 6th add 9 is played at the 9th fret as 10 9 9 9 10 10: barre your index finger across fret 9, middle finger on the low E string at fret 10, ring finger on the B string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10 | 2 | D (1) |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | 9 | 1 (barre) | B (6) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 1 (barre) | E (2) |
| 2 (B) | 10 | 3 | A (5) |
| 1 (e) | 10 | 4 | D (1) |
D6add9/F♯ inversion · 2-0-0-2-0-0 — the easy shape, no barre
D 6th add 9 is played in open position as 2 0 0 2 0 0: index finger on the low E string at fret 2 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2. The A, D, B and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (5) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (6) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (2) |
D6add9/F♯ inversion · 2-2-0-2-0-0
D 6th add 9 is played in open position as 2 2 0 2 0 0: index finger on the low E string at fret 2, middle finger on the A string at fret 2 and ring finger on the G string at fret 2. The D, B and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (6) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (5) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (6) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (2) |
D6add9/F♯ inversion · 2-2-0-2-3-0
D 6th add 9 is played in open position as 2 2 0 2 3 0: index finger on the low E string at fret 2, middle finger on the A string at fret 2, ring finger on the G string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 3. The D and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (3) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (6) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (5) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (1) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (2) |
Why it sounds like that
D 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 D 6th, which omits the 9th.
What goes wrong with D 6th add 9?
- Let the low E string sound by not muting it properly.
- Allow the index barre to lift off the G string, causing a dead note.
When to use it
Use D 6th add 9 as the tonic in D major progressions like D–G–A–D (I–IV–V–I). It works well in country and rock.
Changing to and from D 6th add 9
- Slide the shape down two frets to the 2nd fret to play C 6th add 9.
- Slide the shape down one fret to the 3rd fret to play C♯ 6th add 9.
Which voicing to use
The 4th fret position keeps D in the bass. The D6add9/F♯ inversions put F♯ in the bass, giving a first-inversion sound.
Other D chords
Common questions
Why is the low E string muted in D 6th add 9?
The open E string is a chord tone, but it is muted to preserve the intended bass note and voicing.
How does D 6th add 9 differ from D 6th?
D 6th add 9 adds the 9th, E, to the D 6th chord. The 9th creates a more colorful, extended sound.
What are the alternate symbols for D 6th add 9?
D 6th add 9 is written D6/9 or D6add9.