C Add9 (Cadd9) Chord Guitar

An open C with a ringing 9th on top — folk-pop’s favourite sparkle.

A C major chord with an added 9th (D) — colour without a 7th.
Its bright, shimmering openness is a folk and pop staple.
Trades cleanly with open C — the top two fingers stay planted.
The 9th sits a whole step above the root, staying major and consonant.

Root9th3rd5th

Not played

E6th string

FretMuted

Finger—

Root

ABass5th string

Fret3

Finger2 middle

3rd

D4th string

Fret2

Finger1 index

5th

G3rd string

FretOpen

Finger—

9th

B2nd string

Fret3

Finger3 ring

5th

e1st string

Fret3

Finger4 pinky

NotesC – E – G – D

Formula1 – 3 – 5 – 9

Voicingx32033

TonesC×1·E×1·G×2·D×1

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Questions about C Add9 (Cadd9)

What notes are in a C Add9 (Cadd9) chord?

A C Add9 (Cadd9) chord contains the notes C, E, G, D. It is built from the added 9th formula 1 - 3 - 5 - 9, with C as the root.

What is the difference between Cadd9 and C major?

Cadd9 is C major with one extra note: the 9th (D), added on the B string. It keeps all three notes of the C triad (C-E-G) and simply layers a D on top, so it sounds like a richer, more sparkling C rather than a different chord. There is no 7th, which is what separates an add9 from a full 9th chord.

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C Add9 (Cadd9) Chord Guitar

This chord sounds even better than it looks.

Questions about C Add9 (Cadd9)

What notes are in a C Add9 (Cadd9) chord?

What is the difference between Cadd9 and C major?

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