Also written Fadd9, F or F Add 9th
F add 9 contains F, A, C, and G. The default voicing is open, with the 5th in the bass and a single fretted note.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
F add 9 is built from the formula 1, 3, 5, 9: F, A, C, and G. The added major 2nd (G) softens the major 3rd, creating a warm, resonant sound. Compare it to F major, which omits the 9th.
F add 9 works as the I chord in F major, especially in the progression F–B♭–C–F (I–IV–V–I). It suits folk, country, and acoustic rock. Try it before B♭ major to emphasize the 9th.
The default open voicing with C in the bass gives a second-inversion sound that is light and open. For a more grounded feel, use the 2nd fret voicing, where the bass note F anchors the harmony.
F add 9 is played in open position as 0 0 1 0: index finger on the E string at fret 1. The G, C and A strings ring open.
Tip — The index finger must fret the E string cleanly at the 1st fret while the other strings ring open, requiring precise finger placement.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (9) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (5) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (3) |
F add 9 is played at the 2nd fret as 2 5 3 3: index finger on the G string at fret 2, pinky finger on the C string at fret 5, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and ring finger on the A string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (3) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 4 | F (1) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (9) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (5) |
F add 9 is played at the 8th fret as 10 9 8 10: ring finger on the G string at fret 10, middle finger on the C string at fret 9, index finger on the E string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 3 | F (1) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 2 | A (3) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (5) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (9) |
F add 9 is played in open position as 0 5 5 3: middle finger on the C string at fret 5, ring finger on the E string at fret 5 and index finger on the A string at fret 3. The G string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (9) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | F (1) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 3 | A (3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (5) |
F add 9 is played in open position as 5 5 3 0: middle finger on the G string at fret 5, ring finger on the C string at fret 5 and index finger on the E string at fret 3. The A string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 2 | C (5) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 3 | F (1) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (9) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (3) |
F add 9 is written as F or Fadd9. The root is F.
F add 9 includes the 9th (G), while F major contains only F, A, and C. The added G creates a more colorful, open sound.
The default voicing places the 5th (C) as the lowest note, creating a second inversion. This gives the chord a suspended, airy quality.