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D add 9 chord on guitar (Dadd9)
Also called or written Dadd9, D or D Add 9th
D add 9 is built from D, F♯, A and E. The default grip at the 10th fret is an advanced stretch, but an easier open position exists.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 9
- Root positionD–F♯–A–EDadd9×-×-12-11-10-12
- First inversionF♯–A–E–DDadd9/F♯2-0-0-2-3-0
- Second inversionA–E–D–F♯Dadd9/A×-0-2-2-3-2
- Third inversionE–D–F♯–ADadd9/E0-0-0-2-3-2
How do you play a D add 9 chord on guitar?
D add 9 is played at the 10th fret as × × 12 11 10 12: ring finger on the D string at fret 12, middle finger on the G string at fret 11, index finger on the B string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 12. 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) | 12 | 3 | D (1) |
| 3 (G) | 11 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
| 2 (B) | 10 | 1 | A (5) |
| 1 (e) | 12 | 4 | E (2) |
AdvancedThe pinky must stretch to the 12th fret on the high E while the index holds the 10th fret on the B string, a two-fret span.
Dadd9/F♯ inversion · 2-0-0-2-3-0
D add 9 is played in open position as 2 0 0 2 3 0: index finger on the low E string at fret 2, middle finger on the G string at fret 2 and ring finger on the B string at fret 3. The A, D 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) | 3 | 3 | D (1) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (2) |
Dadd9/F♯ inversion · 2-0-2-2-3-0
D add 9 is played in open position as 2 0 2 2 3 0: index finger on the low E string at fret 2, middle finger on the D string at fret 2, ring finger on the G string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 3. The A 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) | 2 | 2 | E (2) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (5) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (1) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (2) |
Dadd9/A inversion
D add 9 is played in open position as × 0 2 2 3 2: index finger on the D string at fret 2, middle finger on the G string at fret 2, pinky finger on the B string at fret 3 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 2. The A string rings open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (2) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (5) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (1) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (3) |
Dadd9/E inversion
D add 9 is played in open position as 0 0 0 2 3 2: index finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the B string at fret 3 and middle finger on the high e string at fret 2. The low E, A and D strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (2) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (5) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (5) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 3 | D (1) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
Why it sounds like that
D add 9 adds the 9th (E) to a D major triad. The E creates a gentle dissonance against the F♯, giving the chord a floating quality. Contrast it with D major, which omits the 9th.
What goes wrong with D add 9?
- Letting the low E or A string sound, which adds unintended bass notes.
- Buzzing the D string because the ring finger is not close enough to the fret.
- Muting the high E string with a collapsed pinky joint.
When to use it
D add 9 is the tonic in D major, fitting progressions like D–G–A–D (I–IV–V–I). It is common in folk and acoustic pop. Use it to replace D major for a more open, ringing sound.
Changing to and from D add 9
- Move to D major by lifting the pinky and keeping the other three fingers in place.
- Slide the shape down two frets to the 8th fret to play C add 9.
Which voicing to use
The 10th fret position keeps D in the bass for a root-position sound. The Dadd9/F♯ inversion at the 2nd fret puts the major 3rd in the bass and is easier to play. The Dadd9/E inversion at the 2nd fret has the 9th in the bass, creating a suspended feel.
Other D chords
Common questions
How is D add 9 written?
D add 9 is written as Dadd9 or D. The symbol Dadd9 is the most common, and the alternate name Add 9th is also used.
What is the difference between D add 9 and D suspended 2nd?
D add 9 contains the major 3rd (F♯) and the 9th (E), while D suspended 2nd replaces the 3rd with the 2nd (E). D add 9 has a more resolved major sound.
Can I play D add 9 with a barre?
The default 10th fret shape uses no barre, and none of the other positions use a barre. The open position at the 2nd fret is the easiest way to play D add 9.