Gadd9 chord on ukulele

Gadd9 is G, B, D and A. The usual shape is 2-2-3-2. Press Play to hear it, then try it at half speed.

2-2-3-2 · movable · medium

Notes: G · B · D · A
Formula: 1 · 3 · 5 · 9
First shape: 2-2-3-2

How to play Gadd9 on ukulele

Shape 1, 2-2-3-2, reading from the G string on the left, starts at the 2nd fret:

Index finger: G string, 2nd fret (A).
Middle finger: C string, 2nd fret (D).
Ring finger: A string, 2nd fret (B).
Pinky: E string, 3rd fret (G).

Your little finger has a job in this shape; it gets stronger in a week or two of short daily practice.
On ukulele you strum all four strings. The top G string is tuned higher than the C, which is why ukulele chords sound bright and close.

Other ways to play Gadd9

7-9-7-10: movable shape at the 7th fret, medium. Up the neck the chord gets thinner and brighter, a good contrast to the open version.
12-11-10-12: movable shape at the 10th fret, medium. Up the neck the chord gets thinner and brighter, a good contrast to the open version.

Capo shortcuts for Gadd9

With a capo you can skip the harder shapes: capo on the 7th fret and play the open Cadd9 shape (0-2-0-3). Everything above the capo is fingered exactly like the open chord.

Changing from Gadd9 to the chords around it

The chords Gadd9 usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.

C (IV in G major): Gadd9 (2-2-3-2) to C (0-0-0-3): the index finger goes to the A string, 3rd fret. The two chords share G, which is why the change sounds smooth. C on ukulele
D (V in G major): Gadd9 (2-2-3-2) to D (2-2-2-0): your index and middle fingers stay put, the ring finger slides across to the E string at the same fret. Very little moves, so this change comes fast. D and A carry over from one chord to the other. D on ukulele
Em (vi in G major): Gadd9 (2-2-3-2) to Em (0-4-3-2): move the index finger to the A string, 2nd fret, move the middle finger to the E string, 3rd fret, the ring finger goes to the C string, 4th fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. Shared notes: G and B. Em on ukulele

Gadd9 is G major with the ninth (the note a whole step above the root, an octave up) added. All 4 notes of Gadd9 fit on the ukulele's four strings. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

Getting Gadd9 under your fingers

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: A, D, G, B. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Then switch to 7-9-7-10 and back four times without looking at your hand.

Where Gadd9 shows up

Gadd9 on guitar and piano

Gadd9 on guitar and piano uses the same 4 notes in a different layout. See all three together.

Close to Gadd9

Other add 9 chords

Gadd9 on ukulele: questions

What notes are in Gadd9 on ukulele?

G, B, D and A. In the 2-2-3-2 shape the strings play A (G string), D (C string), G (E string) and B (A string).

What's the easiest way to play Gadd9 on ukulele?

In standard tuning Gadd9 can't use open strings. Begin with 2-2-3-2. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, and in many songs a capo can take over part of the work.

Is Gadd9 a barre chord on ukulele?

Not the usual shape: 2-2-3-2 needs no barre.

Which string does Gadd9 start on?

In the 2-2-3-2 shape the lowest string you play is the G string at the 2nd fret, which is A, the ninth.

Checked automatically: no shape here plays a note outside Gadd9. Updated September 2026.