Also written Cadd9, C or C Add 9th
C add 9 contains C, E, G, and D. The default voicing uses the 9th in the bass, giving the chord a suspended, airy quality.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C add 9 is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 9: C, E, G, and D. The added major 2nd (D) softens the major 3rd, creating a dreamy, open sound. Compare it to C major, which omits the 9th.
C add 9 works as the I chord in C major, especially in the progression C–F–G–C (I–IV–V–I). It suits gentle ballads and acoustic pop. Try it before F major to emphasize the 9th.
The default voicing with D in the bass gives a second-inversion sound that is light and open. For a more grounded feel, use the G inversion at the 7th fret, where the bass note G anchors the harmony.
C add 9 is played in open position as 0 2 0 3: index finger on the C string at fret 2 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3. The G and E strings ring open.
Tip — The middle finger must reach the 3rd fret on the A string while the index finger holds the 2nd fret on the C string, stretching the hand.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 1 | D (9) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
C add 9 is played at the 3rd fret as 5 4 3 5: ring finger on the G string at fret 5, middle finger on the C string at fret 4, index finger on the E string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 3 | C (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 2 | E (3) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (5) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 4 | D (9) |
C add 9 is played at the 7th fret as 7 7 8 7: index finger on the G string at fret 7, middle finger on the C string at fret 7, pinky finger on the E string at fret 8 and ring finger on the A string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 1 | D (9) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 2 | G (5) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 4 | C (1) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (3) |
C add 9 is played in open position as 0 0 0 5: index finger on the A string at fret 5. The G, C and E strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (1) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (3) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 1 | D (9) |
C add 9 is played in open position as 5 7 0 5: index finger on the G string at fret 5, ring finger on the C string at fret 7 and middle finger on the A string at fret 5. The E string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 | C (1) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 3 | G (5) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (3) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 2 | D (9) |
C add 9 is written as C or Cadd9. The root is C.
C add 9 includes the 9th (D), while C major contains only C, E, and G. The added D creates a more colorful, open sound.
The default voicing places the 9th (D) as the lowest note, creating a second inversion. This gives the chord a suspended, airy quality.