Aadd9 chord
Aadd9 is A, C♯, E and B: 1–3–5–9 built on A. Below: guitar, piano and ukulele, each playable.
On guitar
x-0-2-4-2-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- A · C♯ · E · B
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 9
- First shape
- x-0-2-4-2-0
Aadd9 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · A–C♯–E–B · right hand 1-2-3-5
- Notes
- A · C♯ · E · B
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 9
Aadd9 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
2-1-0-2 · open · easy
- Notes
- A · C♯ · E · B
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5 · 9
- First shape
- 2-1-0-2
Aadd9 and the chords around it
The moves below are the ones you'll meet most, shown for guitar and piano.
- Aadd9 → D (IV in A major)
Guitar: Aadd9 (x-0-2-4-2-0) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): the index finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, the middle finger slides across to the high E string at the same fret, the ring finger goes to the B string, 3rd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Shared note: A.
Piano: Aadd9 to D: play D in 2nd inversion (A–D–F♯) and A stays under the same finger, while C♯ moves up to D and E up to F♯. D - Aadd9 → E (V in A major)
Guitar: Aadd9 (x-0-2-4-2-0) to E (0-2-2-1-0-0): your index finger lands on the G string, 1st fret, move the middle finger to the A string, 2nd fret, the ring finger goes to the D string, 2nd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Listen for E and B, which stay put while the rest moves.
Piano: Aadd9 to E: play E in root position (E–G♯–B) and E and B stay under the same fingers, while C♯ moves up to G♯. E - Aadd9 → F♯m (vi in A major)
Guitar: Aadd9 (x-0-2-4-2-0) to F♯m (2-4-4-2-2-2): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 2nd fret, the middle finger goes to the A string, 4th fret, the ring finger slides across to the D string at the same fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Listen for A and C♯, which stay put while the rest moves.
Piano: Aadd9 to F♯m: play F♯m in 1st inversion (A–C♯–F♯) and A and C♯ stay under the same fingers, while E moves up to F♯. F♯m
Guitar with a capo: capo 5, Eadd9 shape.
How Aadd9 is built
Aadd9 is A major with the ninth (the note a whole step above the root, an octave up) added. It keeps the bright major sound and adds a shimmer; guitarists love it because the open shapes ring.
From A, go 4 half steps up to C♯, 3 half steps up to E then 7 half steps up to B.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | root | 0 | |
| C♯ | major third | 4 | |
| E | perfect fifth | 7 | |
| B | ninth | 14 |
Keys and progressions with Aadd9
Aadd9 isn't a chord of any major or natural minor key, so it usually appears as a passing or borrowed chord.
Chords close to Aadd9
Chords that share most of their notes with Aadd9: A9, Esus4, A, Asus2, C♯m7, C♯m7♭5.
Every A chord
Aadd9 chord: questions
What notes are in the Aadd9 chord?
A, C♯, E and B. Aadd9 is built 1–3–5–9 from A: C♯ is the major third, E is the perfect fifth and B is the ninth.
How do you play Aadd9 on guitar?
The usual shape is x-0-2-4-2-0 (open). All 3 guitar shapes.
How do you play Aadd9 on piano?
Play A, C♯, E and B with right-hand fingers 1-2-3-5. A sits between the last two black keys of the three. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Aadd9 on ukulele?
2-1-0-2 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Aadd9 in?
Aadd9 isn't a chord of any major or natural minor key, so it usually appears as a passing or borrowed chord.
What's the difference between Aadd9 and A?
Aadd9 is A plus B.
All three instruments are drawn and played from A, C♯, E and B by the same engine. Updated September 2026.