Tools / Chords / F 6th add 9

F 6th add 9 chord on guitar (F6/9)

Also written F6/9, F6add9 or F 6th Add 9th

Guitar · Open · 1-0-0-0-1-1

F 6th add 9 contains F, A, C, D and G. The open position uses no barre and includes all six strings, making it the most accessible voicing.

Open · 1-0-0-0-1-11-0-0-0-1-1

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

F1Root

A3Major 3rd

C5Perfect 5th

D6Major 6th

G99th

Formula 1, 3, 5, 6, 9

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

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

Root positionF–A–C–D–GF6/9Bass F

First inversionA–C–D–G–FF6/9/ABass A

Second inversionC–D–G–F–AF6/9/CBass C

Third inversionD–G–F–A–CF6/9/DBass D

Fourth inversionG–F–A–C–DF6/9/GBass G

Why it sounds like that

F 6th add 9 is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 6, 9. The major 6th D adds a warm, pastoral colour, and the 9th G gives a gentle lift. Compare it to F 6th, which omits the 9th and sounds more grounded.

What goes wrong with F 6th add 9?

The index finger accidentally touching the A string and muting it.
The middle finger touching the G string and deadening it.
Strumming too hard and making the open strings overpower the fretted notes.

When to use it

F 6th add 9 acts as the tonic in F major, fitting the I–IV–V–I progression F–B♭–C–F. It also works in the I–V–vi–IV loop F–C–Dm–B♭. Use it in folk or country for a bright, open feel.

Changing to and from F 6th add 9

Move to F major by lifting the middle and ring fingers, leaving the index finger on the low E.
Sliding the shape up to the 7th fret gives F 6th add 9 in a higher register; keep the same finger pattern.

Which voicing to use

The open position has F in the bass for a solid root position. The 7th-fret voicing also has F in the bass but in a higher register, giving a brighter, more cutting sound for lead lines.

How do you play an F 6th add 9 chord on guitar?

Open · 1-0-0-0-1-1

Beginner● On the diagram

F 6th add 9 is played in open position as 1 0 0 0 1 1: index finger on the low E string at fret 1, middle finger on the B string at fret 1 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 1. The A, D and G strings ring open.

Tip — The index finger must fret the low E at the 1st fret while the middle and ring fingers fret the B and high e at the same fret, requiring a compact hand position.

String-by-string breakdown

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

Open · 1-0-0-0-1-3

Beginner

F 6th add 9 is played in open position as 1 0 0 0 1 3: index finger on the low E string at fret 1, middle finger on the B string at fret 1 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 3. The A, D and G strings ring open.

String-by-string breakdown

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

Open · 1-0-0-2-1-3

Beginner

F 6th add 9 is played in open position as 1 0 0 2 1 3: index finger on the low E string at fret 1, ring finger on the G string at fret 2, middle finger on the B string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The A and D strings ring open.

String-by-string breakdown

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

7th fret

Barre

F 6th add 9 is played at the 7th fret as × 8 7 7 8 8: barre your index finger across fret 7, middle finger on the A string at fret 8, ring finger on the B string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 8. The low E string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	8	2	F (1)
4 (D)	7	1 (barre)	A (3)
3 (G)	7	1 (barre)	D (6)
2 (B)	8	3	G (9)
1 (e)	8	4	C (5)

12th fret

Barre

F 6th add 9 is played at the 12th fret as 13 12 12 12 13 13: barre your index finger across fret 12, middle finger on the low E string at fret 13, ring finger on the B string at fret 13 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 13.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	13	2	F (1)
5 (A)	12	1 (barre)	A (3)
4 (D)	12	1 (barre)	D (6)
3 (G)	12	1 (barre)	G (9)
2 (B)	13	3	C (5)
1 (e)	13	4	F (1)

Common questions

How is F 6th add 9 written?

F 6th add 9 is written as F6/9 or F6add9. The symbols F6/9 and F6add9 are interchangeable.

What is the difference between F 6th add 9 and F major 9th?

F 6th add 9 contains the major 6th D and the 9th G, but no major 7th. F major 9th includes the major 7th E and the 9th G, giving a jazzier, more complex sound.

Can F 6th add 9 be played with a barre?

The 7th-fret voicing uses a barre across strings 4 and 3 at the 7th fret, with the root F on the 5th string. The open position is barre-free and easier for beginners.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F (1)

5 (A)

open

—

A (3)

4 (D)

open

—

D (6)

3 (G)

open

—

G (9)

2 (B)

C (5)

1 (e)

F (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F (1)

5 (A)

open

—

A (3)

4 (D)

open

—

D (6)

3 (G)

open

—

G (9)

2 (B)

C (5)

1 (e)

G (9)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F (1)

5 (A)

open

—

A (3)

4 (D)

open

—

D (6)

3 (G)

A (3)

2 (B)

C (5)

1 (e)

G (9)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

F (1)

4 (D)

1 (barre)

A (3)

3 (G)

1 (barre)

D (6)

2 (B)

G (9)

1 (e)

C (5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F (1)

5 (A)

1 (barre)

A (3)

4 (D)

1 (barre)

D (6)

3 (G)

1 (barre)

G (9)

2 (B)

C (5)

1 (e)

F (1)