Tools / Chords / A add 9

A add 9 chord on ukulele (Aadd9)

Also written Aadd9, A or A Add 9th

Ukulele · Aadd9/C♯ inversion · B on top

A add 9 contains A, C♯, E, and B. The default voicing places the major 3rd in the bass, creating a bright, ringing sound.

Aadd9/C♯ inversion · B on top2-1-0-2

Positions on the neck1 of 4

How it’s built

A1Root

C♯3Major 3rd

E5Perfect 5th

B99th

Formula 1, 3, 5, 9

Positions on the neck1 of 4

Inversions

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

Root positionA–C♯–E–BAadd9Bass A

First inversionC♯–E–B–AAadd9/C♯Bass C♯

Second inversionE–B–A–C♯Aadd9/EBass E

Third inversionB–A–C♯–EAadd9/BBass B

Why it sounds like that

A add 9 is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 9: A, C♯, E, and B. The added major 2nd (B) softens the major 3rd, giving the chord its open, shimmering quality. Compare it to A major, which omits the 9th.

What goes wrong with A add 9?

The open E string is muted by the index finger collapsing onto it.
The middle finger flattens and deadens the A string next to it.

When to use it

A add 9 works as the I chord in A major, especially in the progression A–D–E–A (I–IV–V–I). It suits bright pop, folk, and indie strumming. Try it before D major to highlight the 9th.

Changing to and from A add 9

Move to A major by lifting the ring finger off the A string and placing the index finger on the C string at the 1st fret.
Slide the shape down two frets to the 1st fret to play G add 9.

Which voicing to use

The default voicing with C♯ in the bass gives a first-inversion sound that is clear and focused. For a fuller, lower register, use the E inversion at the 4th fret, where the bass note E anchors the harmony.

How do you play an A add 9 chord on ukulele?

Aadd9/C♯ inversion · B on top

Beginner● On the diagram

A add 9 is played in open position as 2 1 0 2: middle finger on the G string at fret 2, index finger on the C string at fret 1 and ring finger on the A string at fret 2. The E string rings open.

Tip — The index finger must fret the C string cleanly at the 1st fret while the middle and ring fingers reach the 2nd fret on the outer strings.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	2	2	A (1)
3 (C)	1	1	C♯ (3)
2 (E)	open	—	E (5)
1 (A)	2	3	B (9)

Aadd9/E inversion · fret 4

Intermediate

A add 9 is played at the 4th fret as 4 4 5 4: index finger on the G string at fret 4, middle finger on the C string at fret 4, pinky finger on the E string at fret 5 and ring finger on the A string at fret 4.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	4	1	B (9)
3 (C)	4	2	E (5)
2 (E)	5	4	A (1)
1 (A)	4	3	C♯ (3)

Aadd9/C♯ inversion · A on top

Beginner

A add 9 is played in open position as 4 1 0 0: middle finger on the G string at fret 4 and index finger on the C string at fret 1. The E and A strings ring open.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	4	2	B (9)
3 (C)	1	1	C♯ (3)
2 (E)	open	—	E (5)
1 (A)	open	—	A (1)

Aadd9/E inversion · open position

Intermediate

A add 9 is played in open position as 6 4 7 0: middle finger on the G string at fret 6, index finger on the C string at fret 4 and ring finger on the E string at fret 7. The A string rings open.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	6	2	C♯ (3)
3 (C)	4	1	E (5)
2 (E)	7	3	B (9)
1 (A)	open	—	A (1)

Common questions

How is A add 9 written?

A add 9 is written as A or Aadd9. The root is A.

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

A add 9 includes the 9th (B), while A major contains only A, C♯, and E. The added B creates a more colorful, open sound.

Why does the default voicing have C♯ in the bass?

The default voicing places the major 3rd (C♯) as the lowest note, creating a first inversion. This gives the chord a brighter, less grounded feel than root position.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

A (1)

3 (C)

C♯ (3)

2 (E)

open

—

E (5)

1 (A)

B (9)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

B (9)

3 (C)

E (5)

2 (E)

A (1)

1 (A)

C♯ (3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

B (9)

3 (C)

C♯ (3)

2 (E)

open

—

E (5)

1 (A)

open

—

A (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

C♯ (3)

3 (C)

E (5)

2 (E)

B (9)

1 (A)

open

—

A (1)