Also written Eadd9, E or E Add 9th
E add 9 is built from E, G♯, B and F♯. The default voicing requires a pinky stretch to the 4th fret on the C string.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E add 9 stacks a major 3rd, perfect 5th and major 2nd above the root. The major 2nd is the add 9 colour. Compare E major, which omits that 9th.
E add 9 works as a colour chord in E major, such as the I–IV–V–I progression E–A–B–E. It suits bright, shimmering passages where the 9th adds sparkle without dissonance.
The 1st fret position puts the root E in the bass, giving a solid foundation. The F♯ inversion at frets 4-6-4-7 places the 9th lowest, creating a suspended, airy feel.
E add 9 is played at the 1st fret as 1 4 2 2: index finger on the G string at fret 1, pinky finger on the C string at fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and ring finger on the A string at fret 2.
Tip — The pinky must reach fret 4 on the C string while the index holds fret 1 on the G string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 4 | E (1) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (9) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 3 | B (5) |
E add 9 is played at the 4th fret as 4 6 4 7: index finger on the G string at fret 4, ring finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (5) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 3 | F♯ (9) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (1) |
E add 9 is played at the 7th fret as 9 8 7 9: ring finger on the G string at fret 9, middle finger on the C string at fret 8, index finger on the E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 3 | E (1) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 2 | G♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 1 | B (5) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (9) |
E add 9 is played at the 11th fret as 11 11 12 11: index finger on the G string at fret 11, middle finger on the C string at fret 11, pinky finger on the E string at fret 12 and ring finger on the A string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 1 | F♯ (9) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 2 | B (5) |
| 2 (E) | 12 | 4 | E (1) |
| 1 (A) | 11 | 3 | G♯ (3) |
E add 9 is written Eadd9 or E.
E add 9 uses G♯ because it is the major 3rd of E. G♯ is the correct spelling in the key of E major, which has four sharps.
E add 9 contains the 9th (F♯) but no 7th. E major 7th contains the major 7th (D♯) but no 9th.