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G 6th add 9 chord on guitar (G6/9)
Also called or written G6/9, G6add9, G 6th Add 9th or G 6th 9
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.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 6, 9
- Root positionG–B–D–E–AG6/93-0-0-0-0-0
- First inversionB–D–E–A–GG6/9/B×-2-2-2-3-3
- Second inversionD–E–A–G–BG6/9/D10-10-9-9-10-×
- Third inversionE–A–G–B–DG6/9/E0-0-0-0-0-0
- Fourth inversionA–G–B–D–EG6/9/A×-0-0-0-0-0
How do you play a G 6th add 9 chord on guitar?
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (2) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (1) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (3) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (6) |
AdvancedThe 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.
Open · 3-0-0-2-0-0
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (2) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (2) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (3) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (6) |
Open · 3-2-0-2-0-0
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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 (2) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (3) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (6) |
Open · 3-2-0-2-3-0
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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 (2) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (6) |
2nd fret
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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 (2) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 3 | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 4 | G (1) |
Why it sounds like that
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.
What goes wrong with G 6th add 9?
- The index finger accidentally touching the A string and muting it.
- Strumming too hard and making the open strings overpower the fretted note.
- Not pressing the low E firmly enough, causing a buzz.
When to use it
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.
Changing to and from G 6th add 9
- Move to G major by adding the 2nd fret on the A string with your middle finger and the 3rd fret on the high e with your ring finger.
- Sliding the shape up to the 2nd fret gives G 6th add 9 in a higher register; keep the same finger pattern.
Which voicing to use
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.
Other G chords
Common questions
How is G 6th add 9 written?
G 6th add 9 is written as G6/9 or G6add9. The symbols G6/9 and G6add9 are interchangeable.
What is the difference between G 6th add 9 and G major 9th?
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.
Can G 6th add 9 be played with a barre?
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.