The short version
- Badd9 is B add nine. Its notes are B, D♯, F♯ and C♯ (formula 1 – 3 – 5 – 9).
- Easiest way to play it: a barre on the 2nd fret, frets x 2 4 6 4 2 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds bright, pretty and modern. Drop it in wherever you’d play the plain major chord. It works especially well on the I and IV chords.
- Badd9 turns up in 6 keys: E major (as the Vadd9), B major (as the Iadd9), F♯ major (as the IVadd9), C♯ minor (as the VIIadd9) and G♯ minor (as the IIIadd9), and more in the table below.
- Can’t barre yet? Capo 2 and play an open Aadd9 shape.
How to play Badd9 on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the barre chord, root on the 5th string (2nd fret).
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 2, from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side.
- Put your middle finger on fret 4 of the 4th (D) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 4 of the 2nd (B) string.
- Put your little finger on fret 6 of the 3rd (G) string.
- Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
- Strum from the 5th (A) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other shape. Shape 2 is the barre chord, root on the 6th string (7th fret): 7 9 11 8 7 7. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
No barre? No problem. Pop a capo on the 2nd fret and play the open Aadd9 shape: it comes out as Badd9. (Capo 4 with an open Gadd9 shape works too.) Barre chords take everyone a few weeks. Mine sounded like a kettle for a month.
Notes in the Badd9 chord
Badd9 is built from 4 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still Badd9.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| B | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| D♯ | 3 major third | Makes it major (happy). |
| F♯ | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
| C♯ | 9 ninth | Sparkle on top. |
What Badd9 sounds like, and when to use it
A major chord with the ninth sprinkled on top, and no seventh. It does the same job as the major chord, only prettier. Acoustic pop’s favourite seasoning. Drop it in wherever you’d play the plain major chord. It works especially well on the I and IV chords.
What key is Badd9 in?
Badd9 turns up in 6 keys: E major (as the Vadd9), B major (as the Iadd9), F♯ major (as the IVadd9), C♯ minor (as the VIIadd9) and G♯ minor (as the IIIadd9), and more in the table below. Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| E major | Vadd9 | Badd9 |
| B major | Iadd9 | Badd9 |
| F♯ major | IVadd9 | Badd9 |
| C♯ minor | VIIadd9 | Badd9 |
| G♯ minor | IIIadd9 | Badd9 |
| E♭ minor | VIadd9 | Badd9 |
Chords that go with Badd9
Here’s a progression to try: Badd9 – F♯ – G♯m – Eadd9 (Iadd9–V–vi–IVadd9), the four-chord song, with fairy lights.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Badd9 in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
Acoustic pop, 92 BPM, chord progression Badd9 – F♯ – G♯m – Eadd9, sparkly add9 acoustic guitar chords, gentle piano, soft strings, warm duet vocals, romantic
Badd9 chord FAQ
What notes are in the Badd9 chord?
Badd9 has 4 notes: B (the root), D♯ (the major third), F♯ (the perfect fifth) and C♯ (the ninth). The chord formula is 1 – 3 – 5 – 9.
How do you play Badd9 on guitar?
The stretchy way is barre chord, root on the 5th string (2nd fret). Strings from low E to high E: x 2 4 6 4 2 (x means don’t play that string). Lay your index finger flat across fret 2, from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side. Put your middle finger on fret 4 of the 4th (D) string. Put your ring finger on fret 4 of the 2nd (B) string. Put your little finger on fret 6 of the 3rd (G) string. Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
What does the “add9” in Badd9 mean?
It tells you the chord type: Badd9 is B add nine. A major chord with the ninth sprinkled on top, and no seventh. It does the same job as the major chord, only prettier. Acoustic pop’s favourite seasoning.
What key is Badd9 in?
Badd9 turns up in 6 keys: E major (as the Vadd9), B major (as the Iadd9), F♯ major (as the IVadd9), C♯ minor (as the VIIadd9) and G♯ minor (as the IIIadd9), and more in the table below. Major keys: E major, B major, F♯ major. Minor keys: C♯ minor, G♯ minor, E♭ minor.
What is the difference between Badd9 and B9?
Badd9 is a major chord plus the ninth (C♯) with no seventh, so it stays sweet. B9 also has the flat seventh (A), which makes it bluesy and funky.
How can I play Badd9 without a barre?
Use a capo. Put it on the 2nd fret and play the open Aadd9 shape or Put it on the 4th fret and play the open Gadd9 shape. It sounds as Badd9. You can also play just the top three or four strings of the barre shape.
Other add9 chords
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