Tools / Chords / D add 9

D add 9 chord on guitar (Dadd9)

Also 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.

10th fret×-×-12-11-10-12

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

D1Root

F♯3Major 3rd

A5Perfect 5th

E99th

Formula 1, 3, 5, 9

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

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

Root positionD–F♯–A–EDadd9Bass D

First inversionF♯–A–E–DDadd9/F♯Bass F♯

Second inversionA–E–D–F♯Dadd9/ABass A

Third inversionE–D–F♯–ADadd9/EBass E

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.

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

10th fret

Intermediate● On the diagram

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.

Tip — The 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.

String-by-string 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 (9)

Dadd9/F♯ inversion · 2-0-0-2-3-0

Beginner

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.

String-by-string 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 (9)

Dadd9/F♯ inversion · 2-0-2-2-3-0

Beginner

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.

String-by-string breakdown

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

Dadd9/A inversion

Beginner

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.

String-by-string breakdown

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

Dadd9/E inversion

Beginner

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.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	open	—	E (9)
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)

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.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

muted

—

4 (D)

D (1)

3 (G)

F♯ (3)

2 (B)

A (5)

1 (e)

E (9)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F♯ (3)

5 (A)

open

—

A (5)

4 (D)

open

—

D (1)

3 (G)

A (5)

2 (B)

D (1)

1 (e)

open

—

E (9)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F♯ (3)

5 (A)

open

—

A (5)

4 (D)

E (9)

3 (G)

A (5)

2 (B)

D (1)

1 (e)

open

—

E (9)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

open

—

A (5)

4 (D)

E (9)

3 (G)

A (5)

2 (B)

D (1)

1 (e)

F♯ (3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

open

—

E (9)

5 (A)

open

—

A (5)

4 (D)

open

—

D (1)

3 (G)

A (5)

2 (B)

D (1)

1 (e)

F♯ (3)