Explore chords · Ukulele
B minor add 9 chord on ukulele (Bmadd9)
Also called or written Bmadd9, Bm add9, B or B minor Add 9th
B minor add 9 contains B, D, F♯, and C♯. The 2nd fret voicing is a closed shape that moves easily up the neck.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9
How do you play a B minor add 9 chord on ukulele?
B minor add 9 is played at the 2nd fret as 4 2 2 4: ring finger on the G string at fret 4, index finger on the C string at fret 2, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 3 | B (1) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 1 | D (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 4 | C♯ (2) |
AdvancedThe 2nd fret voicing requires a stretch between the index finger on the 2nd fret and the pinky on the 4th fret of the A string.
Bm add9/F♯ inversion
B minor add 9 is played at the 5th fret as 6 6 7 5: middle finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the C string at fret 6, pinky finger on the E string at fret 7 and index finger on the A string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 2 | C♯ (2) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 3 | F♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 4 | B (1) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 1 | D (♭3) |
Why it sounds like that
B minor add 9 is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, 9. The major 2nd interval between B and C♯ is the 9th that adds a suspended, ringing quality. Compare it with B minor, which has only the root, minor 3rd, and perfect 5th.
What goes wrong with B minor add 9?
- Letting the pinky mute the E string, which removes the perfect 5th.
- Placing the middle finger too close to the index finger, causing the E string to buzz.
When to use it
B minor add 9 is the vi chord in D major, appearing in progressions like D–A–Bm–G (I–V–vi–IV). Its bright, ringing quality suits indie rock and pop. Use it in place of B minor when you want a more open, modern sound.
Changing to and from B minor add 9
- Move to B minor by lifting the pinky and ring fingers, leaving the index and middle fingers on the 2nd fret.
- Slide the shape down one fret to the 1st fret gives B♭ minor add 9.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd fret voicing keeps the root B as the lowest note, giving a strong minor foundation. The Bm add9/C♯ inversion places the 9th C♯ in the bass, creating a softer, more flowing sound that works well when moving to a D major chord.
Other B chords
Common questions
How does B minor add 9 differ from B minor 7th?
B minor add 9 omits the 7th degree, so it contains only the root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th, and 9th. B minor 7th includes the minor 7th, giving it a more complex, jazzy sound.
Can B minor add 9 be used in a rock progression?
Yes, B minor add 9 works well as the i chord in a B minor rock progression. The added 9th creates a sense of tension that resolves when moving to the iv or v chord.
Why does the 2nd fret voicing sound muddy on some ukuleles?
The close voicing of the upper notes can cause the 9th to clash with the minor 3rd if the intonation is off. Check that the C string is fretted cleanly at the 2nd fret.