D add 9 chord on ukulele (Dadd9)

Also called or written Dadd9, D or D Add 9th

D add 9 is built from D, F♯, A, and E. The 5th-fret voicing sits high on the neck, demanding precise finger placement.

Positions on the neck1 of 2

Practice D add 9 chord

How it is built

DRootF♯Major thirdAPerfect fifthENinth

Formula 1, 3, 5, 9

Inversions

Root positionD–F♯–A–EDadd97-6-5-7
First inversionF♯–A–E–DDadd9/F♯7-6-5-7
Second inversionA–E–D–F♯Dadd9/A9-9-10-9
Third inversionE–D–F♯–ADadd9/E9-9-10-9

How do you play a D add 9 chord on ukulele?

D add 9 is played at the 5th fret as 7 6 5 7: ring finger on the G string at fret 7, middle finger on the C string at fret 6, index finger on the E string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 7.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	7	3	D (1)
3 (C)	6	2	F♯ (3)
2 (E)	5	1	A (5)
1 (A)	7	4	E (2)

AdvancedThe pinky must stretch to the A string at fret 7 while the ring finger holds the G string at the same fret, creating tension.

Dadd9/A inversion

D add 9 is played at the 9th fret as 9 9 10 9: index finger on the G string at fret 9, middle finger on the C string at fret 9, pinky finger on the E string at fret 10 and ring finger on the A string at fret 9.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	9	1	E (2)
3 (C)	9	2	A (5)
2 (E)	10	4	D (1)
1 (A)	9	3	F♯ (3)

Why it sounds like that

D add 9 uses the formula 1, 3, 5, 9. The major 2nd between D and E adds a luminous suspension to the major triad. Compare D add 9 with D major, which omits the 9th for a more direct sound.

What goes wrong with D add 9?

The pinky flattens and mutes the A string, losing the root.
The index finger on the E string leans back and deadens the C string.
The ring finger on the G string buzzes because it is too far from the fret wire.

When to use it

D add 9 functions as the tonic in D major, fitting the I–IV–V–I progression D–G–A–D. Its bright, open sound suits folk, pop, and rock. Use D add 9 to add color to D major in a turnaround.

Changing to and from D add 9

From D add 9 to C♯ add 9, slide the entire shape down one fret to the 4th fret.
From D add 9 to E♭ add 9, slide the entire shape up one fret to the 6th fret.

Which voicing to use

The 5th-fret voicing keeps the root D on the G string and is the standard shape. The Dadd9/E inversion at the 9th fret places the 9th in the bass, creating a suspended, airy feel that resolves well to D major.

Other D chords

Common questions

How is D add 9 written?

D add 9 is written as Dadd9 or D add 9. The symbol D is also used, though it can be confused with D major.

What is the difference between D add 9 and D major 7th?

D add 9 contains the 9th (E) but no 7th. D major 7th contains the 7th (C♯) but no 9th. The add 9 has a more open, suspended quality.

Can D add 9 be played with a barre?

The 5th-fret voicing uses individual fingers, not a barre. The Dadd9/E inversion at the 9th fret also uses individual fingers. No barre is required.