Skip to content
Chords Guide Hub
HomeGuitar Chords
HomeGuitar Chords
Guitar Chords

Aadd9 Chord: Open, Compact, and Moveable Shapes

Learn the Aadd9 chord: notes A C# E B, open and E-shape barre voicings, how it differs from A and Amaj7, and five easy progressions.

LLucas Bennett•2 days ago
How to play the Aadd9 chord - close-up of fingers on guitar fretboard

How to Play the Aadd9 Chord: Open Shapes, Theory, and Progressions

The Aadd9 chord is built from four notes: A (root), C# (major third), E (perfect fifth), and B (major ninth). It is the A major triad plus a B added on top, with no seventh in the chord. The ninth gives the chord a bright, ringing, slightly lush color that sits nicely in folk, pop, and worship playing.

To get 6 open Aadd9: put index finger on D: second fret, ring finger on G at the 4th fret (or pinky), middle on B second fret, let A and high E ring. This is the shape: x 0 2 4 2 0 (from low E). It shares two fingers of the open A shape, just shifted: you lift the G-string finger at fret 2 and reach the 9th (B) on G at fret 4.

That makes the notes 2-A, 1-C#, G at 4 = B, D at 2 = E, B at 2 = C#, high A sound with added B. Anyway the chord construction: A (root), C# (major 3rd), E (perfect 5th), and B (the 9th). That B is actually the major 9th, an octave above the major 2nd. So Aadd9 = A C# E B.

This page covers three Aadd9 shapes, how it differs from plain A and Amaj7, plus progressions where the chord shines.

... continue with sections: How to play (open shape), E-shape moveable, compact top strings, Amaj7 vs Aadd9 difference, songs and progressions, FAQ. Let me write the JSON now. Keep it polished and valid. No special unicode beyond typical markdown dashes and apostrophes. Ensure all quotes and brackets balanced. No unescaped quotes inside strings — use plain apostrophes. Avoid em-dash? fine to use but must escape nothing. We'll use plain hyphens mostlycars. Keep under 60 chars for title:
L
Author
Lucas Bennett

Guitarist, session musician, and instructor with over 12 years of experience teaching acoustic and electric guitar techniques and chord theory.

Next story

a minor key guitar chords on acoustic guitar fretboard

A Minor Key Guitar Chords: Shapes and Progressions

Learn the a minor key guitar chords: Am, Bdim, C, Dm, Em, F, G. Open and barre shapes, common progressions, and tips for beginners.

  • all chords in key of g on a guitar fretboard in a sunlit room

    All Chords in Key of G: Complete Guide with Shapes

  • Guitarist's hand forming a# minor chords on the fretboard

    A# Minor Chords: Easy Shapes and Progressions

Latest

01A Minor Key Guitar Chords: Shapes and Progressions02All Chords in Key of G: Complete Guide with Shapes03Aadd9 Chord: Open, Compact, and Moveable Shapes04A# Minor Chords: Easy Shapes and Progressions

Latest blogs

  • A Minor Key Guitar Chords: Shapes and Progressions
  • All Chords in Key of G: Complete Guide with Shapes
  • Aadd9 Chord: Open, Compact, and Moveable Shapes
  • A# Minor Chords: Easy Shapes and Progressions
Chords Guide Hub

Your complete guide to guitar chords, tabs, and tutorials for every skill level.

Topics

Guitar Chords

© 2026 Chords Guide Hub

Terms and ConditionsPrivacy PolicySitemap