Also written G6/9, G6add9 or G 6th Add 9th
G 6th add 9 contains G, B, D, E and A. The open position uses no barre and includes all six strings, making it the most accessible voicing.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
G 6th add 9 is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 6, 9. The major 6th E adds a warm, lyrical quality, and the 9th A gives a gentle lift. Compare it to G 6th, which omits the 9th and sounds more settled.
G 6th add 9 acts as the tonic in G major, fitting the I–IV–V–I progression G–C–D–G. It also works in the I–V–vi–IV loop G–D–Em–C. Use it in folk or country for a bright, open feel.
The open position has G in the bass for a solid root position. The 2nd-fret voicing also has G in the bass but in a higher register, giving a brighter, more cutting sound for lead lines.
G 6th add 9 is played in open position as 3 0 0 0 0 0: index finger on the low E string at fret 3. The A, D, G, B and high e strings ring open.
Tip — The index finger must fret the low E at the 3rd fret while the other five strings remain open, requiring a precise arch to avoid muting.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (9) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (3) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (6) |
G 6th add 9 is played in open position as 3 0 0 2 0 0: middle finger on the low E string at fret 3 and index finger on the G string at fret 2. The A, D, B and high e strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (9) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (9) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (3) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (6) |
G 6th add 9 is played in open position as 3 2 0 2 0 0: ring finger on the low E string at fret 3, index finger on the A string at fret 2 and middle finger on the G string at fret 2. The D, B and high e strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (3) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (9) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (3) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (6) |
G 6th add 9 is played in open position as 3 2 0 2 3 0: ring finger on the low E string at fret 3, index finger on the A string at fret 2, middle finger on the G string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 3. The D and high e strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (3) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (9) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (6) |
G 6th add 9 is played at the 2nd fret as 3 2 2 2 3 3: barre your index finger across fret 2, middle finger on the low E string at fret 3, ring finger on the B string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (3) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (6) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (9) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 3 | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 4 | G (1) |
G 6th add 9 is written as G6/9 or G6add9. The symbols G6/9 and G6add9 are interchangeable.
G 6th add 9 contains the major 6th E and the 9th A, but no major 7th. G major 9th includes the major 7th F♯ and the 9th A, giving a jazzier, more complex sound.
The 2nd-fret voicing uses a barre across strings 4 and 3 at the 2nd fret, with the root G on the 6th string. The open position is barre-free and easier for beginners.