Tools / Chords / F add 9

F add 9 chord on guitar (Fadd9)

Also written Fadd9, F or F Add 9th

F add 9 is built from F, A, C and G. This open-position grip uses all six strings for a lush, ringing sound.

Open · F on top1-0-3-0-1-1

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

F1Root

A3Major 3rd

C5Perfect 5th

G99th

Formula 1, 3, 5, 9

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

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

Root positionF–A–C–GFadd9Bass F

First inversionA–C–G–FFadd9/ABass A

Second inversionC–G–F–AFadd9/CBass C

Third inversionG–F–A–CFadd9/GBass G

Why it sounds like that

F add 9 adds the ninth, G, to the F major triad F–A–C, giving the formula 1, 3, 5, 9. The ninth creates a warm, suspended colour. Compare it with F major, which has only the triad.

What goes wrong with F add 9?

Muting the open G string with the pinky.
Buzzing the B string because the middle finger is too flat.
Letting the low E string ring out when it should be muted.

When to use it

F add 9 is 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 of F–C–D minor–B♭. The chord suits folk, pop, and ballads.

Changing to and from F add 9

Move to F major by lifting the pinky from the 4th string and placing it on the 5th string, 3rd fret.

Which voicing to use

The open shapes and the 1st-fret shape keep F in the bass for a stable root-position sound. The A inversion puts the third in the bass, which lightens the chord and works well in fingerpicking patterns.

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

Open · F on top

Beginner● On the diagram

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

Tip — The open position requires a three-fret stretch from the index on the 1st fret to the pinky on the 3rd fret while keeping the G string open.

String-by-string breakdown

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

Open · G on top

Beginner

F add 9 is played in open position as 1 0 3 0 1 3: index finger on the low E string at fret 1, ring finger on the D string at fret 3, middle finger on the B string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The A 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)	3	3	F (1)
3 (G)	open	—	G (9)
2 (B)	1	2	C (5)
1 (e)	3	4	G (9)

1st fret

Intermediate

F add 9 is played at the 1st fret as × × 3 2 1 3: ring finger on the D string at fret 3, middle finger on the G string at fret 2, index finger on the B string at fret 1 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The low E and A strings stay muted.

String-by-string breakdown

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

13th fret

Intermediate

F add 9 is played at the 13th fret as × × 15 14 13 15: ring finger on the D string at fret 15, middle finger on the G string at fret 14, index finger on the B string at fret 13 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 15. The low E and A strings stay muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	muted	—	—
4 (D)	15	3	F (1)
3 (G)	14	2	A (3)
2 (B)	13	1	C (5)
1 (e)	15	4	G (9)

Fadd9/A inversion

Beginner

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

String-by-string breakdown

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

Common questions

How is F add 9 written?

F add 9 is written as Fadd9 or F add 9. The symbol Fadd9 is common on chord charts.

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

F add 9 includes the ninth, G, while F major has only F, A, and C. The add 9 has a more open, suspended sound.

Can I play F add 9 with a barre?

The default open shape uses no barre, but the Fadd9/A inversion at the 5th string is an open shape. That inversion is easier and still contains all four chord tones.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F (1)

5 (A)

open

—

A (3)

4 (D)

F (1)

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)

F (1)

3 (G)

open

—

G (9)

2 (B)

C (5)

1 (e)

G (9)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

muted

—

4 (D)

F (1)

3 (G)

A (3)

2 (B)

C (5)

1 (e)

G (9)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

muted

—

4 (D)

F (1)

3 (G)

A (3)

2 (B)

C (5)

1 (e)

G (9)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

open

—

A (3)

4 (D)

F (1)

3 (G)

open

—

G (9)

2 (B)

C (5)

1 (e)

F (1)