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F add 9 chord on guitar (Fadd9)
Also called or 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.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 9
- Root positionF–A–C–GFadd91-0-3-0-1-1
- First inversionA–C–G–FFadd9/A×-0-3-0-1-1
- Second inversionC–G–F–AFadd9/C×-3-3-2-×-3
- Third inversionG–F–A–CFadd9/G3-0-3-0-1-1
How do you play an F add 9 chord on guitar?
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.
Full note and interval 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 (2) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 2 | C (5) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 3 | F (1) |
AdvancedThe 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.
Open · G on top
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.
Full note and interval 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 (2) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 2 | C (5) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 4 | G (2) |
1st fret
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.
Full note and interval 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 (2) |
13th fret
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.
Full note and interval 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 (2) |
Fadd9/A inversion
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (3) |
| 4 (D) | 3 | 3 | F (1) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (2) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 1 | C (5) |
| 1 (e) | 1 | 2 | F (1) |
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.
Other F chords
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.